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Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) — Mochokidae

Shortbody squeaker

Mochokus brevis
Family: Mochokidae

The Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt

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Description

The shortbody squeaker is a small squeaker catfish (Mochokidae) from fresh water of the Nile and Chad basins in Africa. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown body with barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among roots and leaf litter and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates at night. Like other squeakers it can make creaking sounds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortbody squeaker?

The Shortbody squeaker has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Shortbody squeaker live?

The Shortbody squeaker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt

How big does the Shortbody squeaker get?

The Shortbody squeaker grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Shortbody squeaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortbody squeaker is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) — Mochokidae — 2
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Shortbody squeaker (Mochokus brevis) — Mochokidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert; Loat, L. (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Shortbody squeaker sourced
Scientific name
Mochokus brevis
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Mochokus

More from the family Mochokidae

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