Home · Mochokidae · Fischer's victoria squeaker
Fischer's victoria squeaker (Synodontis afrofischeri) — Mochokidae

Fischer's victoria squeaker

Synodontis afrofischeri
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fischer's victoria squeaker (Synodontis afrofischeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Victoria squeaker is an African catfish of the family Mochokidae occurring in the Lake Victoria basin and surrounding rivers of East Africa. The species grows to about 18 cm, has a brown, dark-spotted body, three pairs of barbels around the mouth and an adipose fin behind the dorsal fin. It prefers shore zones and vegetated margins, more often in rivers than in lakes, and feeds on insects and midge larvae. Like other squeakers it has stout, sharp pectoral and dorsal spines for stinging; when disturbed it makes a creaking sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fischer's victoria squeaker?

The Fischer's victoria squeaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Fischer's victoria squeaker live?

The Fischer's victoria squeaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Fischer's victoria squeaker get?

The Fischer's victoria squeaker grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Fischer's victoria squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Fischer's victoria squeaker is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fischers schraapmeerval sourced
English name
Fischer's victoria squeaker verified
Scientific name
Synodontis afrofischeri
Family
Mochokidae
Other names
Marbled Victoria squeaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Synodontis

More from the family Mochokidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →