Squeaker Catfish
📖 Overview
Squeaker Catfish (Synodontis macrophthalmus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Mochokidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 14.6 cm. With a trophic level of 2.9, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13. Diagnosis: eyes remarkably large, 26.3% of head length, only comparable with some Synodontis species from the Congo River basin . Gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels broadly fringed, shorter than head, unbranched and not tuberculate, but with a distinct basal membrane; mandibular barbels with simple and more or less thick ramifications, especially those of the inner pair; width of premaxillary tooth plate comprised at most 1.8 times in eye diameter; mandibular teeth numbering 19; pectoral-fin spines of holotype broken off, but in the basal region, denticulations are stronger on inner than on outer margin; dorsal-fin spine also mutilated, but remaining basal stump smooth anteriorly; humeral process granulate, concave on upper margin, not keeled ventrally; adipose fin rather long, low and distinctly separated from the rayed dorsal fin; outer margin of caudal fin black-edged . Coloration: only known specimen (holotype) light, outer caudal-fin lobes are dark-edged .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Squeaker Catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Squeaker Catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous . Distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 9°N - 6°N known from the type locality in the Volta basin in Ghana (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Squeaker Catfish |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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