Scientific Name
Synodontis victoriae

Common Name
Lake Victoria squeaker

Biology
Inhabits lakes. Most common at depths of more than 20 m, over soft bottoms although it is also know to occur over hard substrates in water over 13 m deep (Ref. 34291). Feeds on mollusks and insects (Ref. 13624). S. victoriae is able to extract the flesh of snails without crushing their shells (Ref. 34291). Rarely grows to lengths greater than 35 cm SL (Ref. 34290). Oviparous (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1906

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Lake Kioga, Victoria Nile, Lake Victoria, lower Kagera River and Malagarasi drainage (Ref. 78218).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

80 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 80 m (Ref. 34291), usually 20 - ? m (Ref. 34291)

Trophic Level

3.28 s.e. 0.48 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 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

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,500)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT)