Synodontis ruandae
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Synodontis ruandae is a species of upside-down catfish native to Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania where it is found in the Kagera River system.[1] It was first described by Belgian ichthyologist Hubert Matthes in 1959, based upon holotypes discovered in the Kagera River at Rusumo, Rwanda.[2] The specific name "ruandae" is derived from its type locality, Rwanda.
Description
Like other members of the genus, this fish has a humeral process, which is a bony spike that is attached to a hardened head cap on the fish and can be seen extending beyond the gill opening.[2] The first ray of the dorsal fin and the pectoral fins have a hardened first ray which is serrated.[2] The caudal fin is deeply forked.[2] It has short, cone-shaped teeth in the upper jaw.[2] In the lower jaw, the teeth are s-shaped and movable.[2] The fish has one pair of long maxillary barbels, extending far beyond the operculum, and two pairs of mandibular barbels that are often branched.[2]
This species grows to a length of Script error: No such module "convert". SL although specimens up to Script error: No such module "convert". TL have been recorded in the wild.[1][2]
Habitat
In the wild, the species inhabits tropical freshwaters.[1] It is found in shallow waters and vegetation along the edge of the water in the middle and upper Kagera River system.[3] It feeds primarily on insect larvae, and also consumes molluscs.[1][3] Due to a decline in vegetation around the edges of lakes and rivers as a result of agricultural expansion, the species is listed as vulnerable.[3]
References
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