to flexible, stalk-like structures and described as "s-shaped" or "hooked". The number of teeth on the mandible is used to differentiate between species; in S. filamentosus, there are about 20 teeth on the mandible. The color of the fish is greyish, with small, scattered dark spots, and whitish on the underside. The dorsal and caudal fins have small greyish spots. The lower borders of the caudal fin are black. The maximum standard length of the species is . 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 widespread across central Africa, from Guinea to Ethiopia. The species is harvested for human consumption. 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. The growth rate is rapid in the first year, then slows down as the fish age. References External links filamentosus Catfish of Africa Freshwater fish of West Africa Fish of Cameroon Fish of the Central African Republic Fish of Chad Fish of Ethiopia Fish of Sudan Fish described in 1901 Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger