spine. The exact function of the port is not known to scientists, although its presence has been observed in seven other catfish genera. Fish in the genus Acrochordonichthys are known to secrete a mucus with toxic properties from their axillary pore, but there is no scientific consensus as to the exact purpose of the secretion or the pore. S. ilebrevis does not have an axillary pore. The back of the fish is olive brown, covered with small, regularly-shaped, widely spaced black spots. The underside is lighter, with smaller black spots. Most of the species of Synodontis of Lake Tanganyika have a recognizable pattern consisting of dark triangles at the bases of all of the rayed fins, present in S. ilebrevis, and the back edges of the fins are dusky in color. The caudal fin has a black bar that runs from the base of each lobe to the top of the fin. The barbels are white. The maximum standard length of known specimens is with a total length of . Generally, females in the genus Synodontis tend to be slightly larger than males of the same age. Habitat and behavior In the wild, the species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, which has an observed temperature range of , an approximate pH of 8.5 – 9, and dH range of 4-15. The exact habitat is unknown, but like other small species of Syndontis, it probably inhabits fairly shallow, rocky coastal areas. The reproductive habits of most of the species of Synodontis are not known, beyond some instances of obtaining egg counts from gravid females. Spawning likely occurs during the flooding season between July and October, and pairs swim in unison during spawning. As a whole, species of Synodontis are omnivores, consuming insect larvae, algae, gastropods, bivalves, sponges, crustaceans, and the eggs of other fishes. The growth rate is rapid in the first year, then slows down as the fish age. References External links ilebrevis Fish of Zambia Endemic fauna of Zambia Fish of Lake Tanganyika Fish described in 2006