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Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) — Mochokidae

Featherfin squeaker

Synodontis eupterus
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West and Central Africa; rivers with muddy and rocky bottoms.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The featherfin squeaker is a synodontis catfish (Mochokidae) from West and Central Africa, including the Nile and Chad basins. The species grows to about 22 cm and is striking for a tall, feather-like fringed dorsal fin, especially in young fish, to which the name refers. It has a stocky, scaleless body with barbels and stout, serrated fin spines. It lives over mud and rock bottoms of rivers and feeds mainly on insect larvae, supplemented with algae. It is popular in the aquarium hobby. The serrated fin spines can cause a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Featherfin squeaker?

The Featherfin squeaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Tall, feather-like fringed dorsal fin; popular aquarium catfish with serrated fin spines.

Where does the Featherfin squeaker live?

The Featherfin squeaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West and Central Africa; rivers with muddy and rocky bottoms.

How big does the Featherfin squeaker get?

The Featherfin squeaker grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Featherfin squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Featherfin squeaker is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected.

Is the Featherfin squeaker edible?

The Featherfin squeaker is rarely eaten.

More photos

Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) — Mochokidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) — Mochokidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) cendrawasih2018, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) — Mochokidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) H.Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) — Mochokidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) H.Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Featherfin squeaker verified
Scientific name
Synodontis eupterus
Family
Mochokidae
Other names
Featherfin squeaker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West and Central Africa; rivers with muddy and rocky bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly insect larvae, also algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Tall, feather-like fringed dorsal fin; popular aquarium catfish with serrated fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
Not venomous, but the stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected. 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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