Barbus Arulius: Mochokidae

Mochokidae Biography

The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes) that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish. There are nine genera and about 200 species of mochokids. All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa.They have three pairs of barbels, with the nasal barbels absent; sometimes, the mandibular barbels may be branched. The lips are be modified into a suckermouth in Atopochilus, Chiloglanis, and Euchilichthys. The adipose fin is usually very long. The dorsal andpectoral fins have spines that are usually strong and with a locking mechanism. They range in size up to 72 centimetres (28 in)SL. This groups contains many popular species among aquarists, such as Synodontis nigriventris, Synodontis angelicus andSynodontis multipunctatus.