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Budgett's squeaker (Synodontis budgetti) — Mochokidae

Budgett's squeaker

Synodontis budgetti
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Budgett's squeaker (Synodontis budgetti) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Budgett's squeaker is a catfish from the Niger river basin in West Africa, including the Benue in Nigeria. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a plain greenish-yellow body, sometimes with black spots on the fins in young fish, and the three pairs of barbels characteristic of squeakers. Like other Synodontis it can swim upside down and produce a squeaking sound with its pectoral and dorsal fin spines. As an omnivore it searches the bottom for invertebrates and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Budgett's squeaker?

The Budgett's squeaker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Budgett's squeaker live?

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

How big does the Budgett's squeaker get?

The Budgett's squeaker grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Budgett's squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Budgett's squeaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Budgett's squeaker edible?

Yes, the Budgett's squeaker is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Budgetts kletskop verified
English name
Budgett's squeaker verified
Scientific name
Synodontis budgetti
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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

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