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Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) — Mochokidae

Shortbody squeaker

Mochokus brevis
Family: Mochokidae

The Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The shortbody squeaker is a small squeaker catfish (Mochokidae) from fresh water of the Nile and Chad basins in Africa. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown body with barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among roots and leaf litter and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates at night. Like other squeakers it can make creaking sounds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortbody squeaker?

The Shortbody squeaker has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Shortbody squeaker live?

The Shortbody squeaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Shortbody squeaker get?

The Shortbody squeaker grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Shortbody squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortbody squeaker is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortlijf-piepmeerval sourced
English name
Shortbody squeaker sourced
Scientific name
Mochokus brevis
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Mochokus

More from the family Mochokidae

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