Plain squeaker
📖 Overview
The spines are said to be poisonous . Found in pools and slow flowing reaches of perennial and seasonal rivers; prefers riverine habitats to floodplains; shelters in holes or crevices or on the underside of logs, frequently in an upside-down position . Active at night, feeds on detritus and plant matter such as seeds as well as small invertebrates like insects and snails, and will scavenge readily . Breeds in summer during rainy periods . Oviparous .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 16. : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Plain squeaker is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous . Distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 13°S - 27°S south to the Pongolo system (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
detritus and plant matter such as seeds as well as small invertebrates like insects and snails, and
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- pain
- oedema
- rare systemic effects
Wound care, analgesia.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemisynodontis zambezensis | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Synodontis zambesiensis | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Plain squeaker.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 79 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Plain squeaker ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.