Scientific Name
Synodontis nigromaculata

Common Name
Blackspotted squeaker

Biology
Prefers rocks or marginal vegetation of flowing riverine channels to lagoons or backwaters. Feeds on a variety of food including detritus, algae and plant material, insects, snails and small fish, and scavenges readily. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1905

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Luapula System, Moero, Bangwelo, Lake Tanganyika, upper Kasai, upper Zambezi, Okovango, Cunene and Limpopo. Also present in the Zambian Congo (Ref. 7248).

Range

11°S - 21°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 20 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.14 s.e. 0.50 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (21 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.8)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)