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Wahrindi (Synodontis schall) — Mochokidae

Wahrindi

Synodontis schall
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Wahrindi (Synodontis schall) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The wahrindi is a catfish of the family Mochokidae (squeakers) reaching about 37 cm. The sturdy, brown-mottled 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 sound with its pectoral spines and sometimes swims upside down to graze the surface or the undersides of leaves. The species comes from much of Africa, including the Nile, and lives on soft bottoms of rivers, lakes and swamps. Mainly at night it searches for insect larvae, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and detritus. It is a much-caught food fish; beware the sharp fin spines.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wahrindi?

The Wahrindi has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Wahrindi live?

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

How big does the Wahrindi get?

The Wahrindi grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Wahrindi dangerous to humans?

The Wahrindi can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Wahrindi edible?

Yes, the Wahrindi is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wandelende kwikstaartmeerval inferred
English name
Wahrindi verified
Scientific name
Synodontis schall
Family
Mochokidae
Other names
Mandi; Nile squeaker; Wahrindi verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met worm of made in rivieren en meren; een veelgevangen 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

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