are relatively few teeth. On the lower jaw, or mandible, the teeth of Syndontis are attached 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. sorex, there are about 6 to 8 teeth on the mandible. The color of the fish is grey on the back and sides, becoming white on the underside. The fins are light-colored, with a distinct blotch on the dorsal fin near the base, and a dark band on each lobe of the caudal fin. The barbels are white. 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 is widespread, and is known from Senegal 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 sorex Fish of Ethiopia Freshwater fish of West Africa Fish of Cameroon Fish of Chad Fish of Egypt Fish of Sudan Taxa named by Albert Günther Fish described in 1864