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. serratus, there are about 30 to 45 teeth on the mandible. The color of the fish is a uniform grey or brownish on the back, white on the underside. Juveniles may have small dark specs on the back and adipose fin. The maximum total 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 known only from the Nile River basin. The species is harvested for human consumption. In its natural environment, it prefers deep water and rocky habitats. 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 serratus Catfish of Africa Fish of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Fish of Ethiopia Fish of Egypt Fish of Sudan Fish described in 1829 Taxa named by Eduard Rüppell