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Schouteden's squeaker (Synodontis schoutedeni) — Mochokidae

Schouteden's squeaker

Synodontis schoutedeni
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Schouteden's squeaker (Synodontis schoutedeni) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 17 cm.

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

Description

Synodontis schoutedeni is an African catfish (family Mochokidae) of the Congo basin. The species reaches about 17 cm and has a fusiform, brown body with a marbled pattern, barbels and sturdy pectoral and dorsal fin spines. Notable is its weak electric organ, which lies on the back and consists of modified striated muscle. It is an omnivore feeding on insect larvae, small invertebrates, algae and detritus. Like other squeakers it produces squeaking sounds with its pectoral spines. The species is oviparous and is sometimes kept as an aquarium fish; the fin spines can cause painful injuries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Schouteden's squeaker?

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

Where does the Schouteden's squeaker live?

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

How big does the Schouteden's squeaker get?

The Schouteden's squeaker grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Schouteden's squeaker dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Schouteden's squeaker edible?

The Schouteden's squeaker is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schoutedens squeaker sourced
English name
Schouteden's squeaker sourced
Scientific name
Synodontis schoutedeni
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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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