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A more recent noticeable similarity from the paper by Wright, JJ and LM Page (2006) is the look-a-like Synodontis petricola which grows larger has smaller spots on the head and differs from S. lucipinnis by the addition of a pore beneath the humeral process which is not present in S. lucipinnis. These two species can be difficult to tell apart, especially as juveniles. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13; Vertebrae: 34 - 35. Body is not compressed; predorsal profile is slightly convex; skin on body forming numerous vertical folds; papillae absent; head slightly depressed and broad. Eyes dorsolateral, ovoid, its diameter 25.2-35.8% of snout length. Mandibular teeth 35-51, short and unicuspid, arranged in 6 short, transverse rows. Maxillary barbel short, extending at least to base of pectoral spine, with small papillae at base and narrow basal membrane; lateral mandibular barbel extending to point just past anterior margin of pectoral girdle, with 4-6 short, simple, weakly tuberculate branches, usually lacking secondary branches; medial mandibular barbel approximately 1/3 to 1/2 length of lateral barbel, with 4-6 pairs of tuberculate branches, many secondary branches present. Dorsal fin spine short, striated, slightly curved, terminating in a short, white filament; anterior margin of spine smooth, posterior margin with small serrations distally. Pectoral fin spine roughly equal in length to dorsal fin spine, striated, slightly curved, terminating in short, white filament; anterior spine margin smooth, posterior margin with large, retrorse serrations along entire length. Adipose fin long, well dveloped, margin convex. Body with large spots, fin spines white. Aquarium Care: As per Lake Tanganyika species. Remarks: In the latest paper by Gernot K Englmaier et al. 2024 S. lucipinnis is now being treated as a junior synoynm of S. petricola.

Dwarf Lake Syno.

None

Mochokidae

Africa: Lake Tanganyika

8.0cm. (3¼ins)

22-25°C (71-77°F)

7.0-9.0.

Gernot K Englmaier, Radim Blažek, Holger Zimmermann, Veronika Bartáková, Matej Polacik, Jakub Žák, Deogratias P Mulokozi, Cyprian Katongo, Heinz H Büscher, Lwabanya Mabo, Stephan Koblmüller, Anja Palandacic, Martin Reichard, Revised taxonomy of Synodontis catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) from the Lake Tanganyika basin reveals lower species diversity than expected, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 202, Issue 3, November 2024, zlae130.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 46. April 2000.
Wright, JJ and LM Page (2006) Taxonomic revision of Lake Taganyikan Synodontis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae). Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull. 46(4):99-154.