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. zambezensis, there are 20 to 35 teeth on the mandible. The body color is brown or olive-colored, and may have small or larger round black spots. The spines are said to be poisonous. The maximum standard length of the species is . The maximum published weight 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 has been found in the middle and lower Zambezi River south to the Phongolo River system in South Africa. It is possibly extinct in Swaziland. It is found in pools and slow-flowing reaches of rivers. It shelters, frequently upside-down, in holes, crevices, or on the underside of logs. 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 fish feeds on detritus and plant matter such as seeds, as well as small invertebrates like insects and snails. The growth rate is rapid in the first year, then slows down as the fish age. References External links zambezensis Freshwater fish of Africa Fish of South Africa Fish of Mozambique Fish of Eswatini Fish of Tanzania Fish of Zambia Fish of Zimbabwe Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters Fish described in 1852