Hi- I've found conflicting information on the internet regarding Synodontis and their dorsal/pectoral fin spines. I was under the impression that they did have poisonous spines, although a few web hits suggested that they weren't, so I'd be interested if anyone can help
(apologies if there's an old thread I've missed- the only hit I could find was this thread:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 5&p=107679). (Firefox/phpp will probably screw that link up- not sure how to fix them). (Edit- for once, Firefox didn't break that link)
1. is there a toxic agent involved, and if so do all species have poisonous spines (as far as we know)? I'd be surprised if it's just infection as most people report that the pain is almost instantaneous.
2. assuming the answer to 1 is "yes", is it just the pectoral spines that carry a toxin?
3. again assuming there is a toxin, are the toxins different in different species? If they're different, are the toxins similar compounds in related species?
Synodontis fin spine toxins??
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Carp37
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Synodontis fin spine toxins??
Megalechis thoracata, Callichthys callichthys, Brochis splendens (and progeny), Corydoras sterbai, C. weitzmani, CW044 cf. pestai, CW021 cf. axelrodi, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps, Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus (and progeny), Panaque maccus, Panaque nigrolineatus, Synodontis eupterus
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Silurus
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Re: Synodontis fin spine toxins??
You might want to read this and find out that mochokids do have poisonous fin spines.
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Carp37
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Re: Synodontis fin spine toxins??
Many thanks HH- that's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I normally check the Taxonomy/Science news but must have missed that one. 
Megalechis thoracata, Callichthys callichthys, Brochis splendens (and progeny), Corydoras sterbai, C. weitzmani, CW044 cf. pestai, CW021 cf. axelrodi, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps, Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus (and progeny), Panaque maccus, Panaque nigrolineatus, Synodontis eupterus