All fish / Mochokidae

East Coast Squeaker

Synodontis zanzibaricus

Also known as eastcoast squeaker, east coast synodontis, zanzibar synodontis, zanzibar squeaker, squeaker catfish, synodontis zanzibaricus, シノドンティス・ザンジバリクス, 桑给巴尔向天鼠

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A sturdy upside-down catfish relative with a pale grey to brown body covered in dark spots, a strong serrated dorsal spine and branched barbels. It is kept for its hardiness, its long life and its evening activity in larger African or community tanks, and like other squeakers it makes a grunting sound when handled.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

East Africa: coastal rivers of Kenya and Tanzania, including the Tana, Athi and Pangani basins

Breeding

Captive spawning is rarely reported, and most fish in the trade are collected from the wild or produced commercially with hormones. Breeding it in a home aquarium is very difficult.

Good to know

It grows fairly large and can bully small bottom dwellers or eat tiny fish at night, so it is best kept with robust tankmates such as cichlids. Handle with care, as the spines catch easily in nets.