All fish / Mochokidae

Brown Squeaker

Synodontis zambezensis

Also known as brown squeaker catfish, zambezi synodontis, zambezi squeaker, plain squeaker, 赞比西向天鼠

A sturdy, mostly plain olive-brown upside-down catfish with a forked tail, three pairs of barbels and the strong spined fins typical of the genus. It is kept for its hardiness and its interesting habit of grumbling or squeaking when handled, and suits larger community tanks with robust fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm, shrimp and vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Zambezi, Limpopo and other river basins of southern Africa (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana)

Breeding

Not known to have been bred in home aquariums; in the wild it spawns during the rainy season. Most fish in the trade are wild caught or rarely offered.

Good to know

Grows fairly large and becomes territorial with other bottom dwellers, and may eat very small fish at night. Handle with care because the locking fin spines easily tangle in nets.