Home · Mochokidae · Greshoff's squeaker
Greshoff's squeaker (Synodontis greshoffi) — Mochokidae

Greshoff's squeaker

Synodontis greshoffi
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Greshoff's squeaker (Synodontis greshoffi) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Greshoff's squeaker is a brown, mottled catfish of the family Mochokidae (squeakers) reaching about 27 cm. The sturdy body has three pairs of barbels around the inferior mouth, a large adipose fin and stout, lockable spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins. Like other squeakers it can make a squeaking or grating sound with its pectoral spines. The species comes from the Congo basin in Central Africa and lives on soft bottoms of slow water of rivers and creeks. Mainly at night it probes the bottom with its barbels for insect larvae, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and detritus. For its size and behaviour it is popular in the aquarium hobby; when handling, the sharp fin spines call for care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greshoff's squeaker?

The Greshoff's squeaker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Greshoff's squeaker live?

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

How big does the Greshoff's squeaker get?

The Greshoff's squeaker grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Greshoff's squeaker dangerous to humans?

The Greshoff's squeaker can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Greshoff's squeaker edible?

Yes, the Greshoff's squeaker is commonly eaten.

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
Greshoffs kwikstaartmeerval inferred
English name
Greshoff's squeaker verified
Scientific name
Synodontis greshoffi
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met worm of made in rivieren en kreken; een gewaardeerde kleine voedselvis sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

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 →