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Mochokidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 495 words | Copyright

Mochokidae (upside-down catfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Siluriformes) A large family of freshwater catfish that have, typically, three pairs of feathery barbels around the mouth, an unusually large adipose fin behind the single dorsal fin, and a strongly forked tail fin. Several species, including Synodon schall (40 cm) and S. nigriventris (7 cm), often swim on their backs (upside-down), perhaps in search of insects at the water surface. There are about 150 species, found in Africa.

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