Home · Mochokidae · Koe squeaker
Koe squeaker (Synodontis koensis) — Mochokidae

Koe squeaker

Synodontis koensis
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Koe squeaker (Synodontis koensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

Description

The Koe squeaker is an African squeaker catfish from fresh water of West Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky, scaleless body, three pairs of barbels and strong, serrated spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins with which it makes squeaking sounds. As a nocturnal bottom fish it searches rivers for insect larvae, molluscs and plant remains. The spines can prick when handled. The fish is otherwise harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Koe squeaker?

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

Where does the Koe squeaker live?

The Koe squeaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Koe squeaker get?

The Koe squeaker grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Koe squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Koe squeaker is harmless to humans.

Is the Koe squeaker edible?

The Koe squeaker is rarely 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
Koe-kwetterkat verified
English name
Koe squeaker verified
Scientific name
Synodontis koensis
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate 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
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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 →