All fish / Mochokidae

Lake Victoria squeaker

Synodontis victoriae

Also known as victoria squeaker, victoria synodontis, lake victoria synodontis, synodontis victoria, squeaker catfish, シノドンティス・ヴィクトリアエ, 维多利亚倒吊鼠

A sturdy upside-down style squeaker catfish with a greyish to olive-brown body covered in dark spots, a forked tail and three pairs of feathery barbels. It is kept for its hardiness and active night-time foraging, and it fits well with robust African cichlids.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6.8 to 8

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Single or a group of 3 or more in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, catfish wafers, bloodworm, shrimp and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Victoria basin and nearby rivers and lakes (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda)

Breeding

It is thought to scatter eggs, but captive breeding is rarely if ever reported in home aquariums. Most fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

Grows to around 20 cm or more and can be territorial with other bottom dwellers, so provide caves and plenty of space. Spines on the fins can snag in nets, and similar spotted squeakers are often mislabelled under this name.