Cheetah squeaker
Synodontis waterloti
Also known as Waterlot's squeaker
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 6.3 in
- 16 cm
- Minimum tank
- 21 gal
- 80 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Coastal West African rivers
Overview
The cheetah squeaker is a spotted, mostly peaceful catfish for the bottom of a community tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The cheetah squeaker's spotted print fades to plain bronze in old adults.
Caring for the cheetah squeaker
Give a cheetah squeaker a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L), with caves and wood to sit under by day. Leave open floor for it to patrol after lights out.
Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. It wants softer, more acidic water than the Tanganyikan Synodontis most keepers meet first.
Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and the occasional piece of prawn in the evening. Expect it to stay nocturnal for months, then gradually come out earlier as it settles.
Keep just one, since cheetah squeakers are not social with their own kind. A single, mostly peaceful fish mixes well with West African cichlids and any community fish too big for it to swallow. Its spines tangle in a net, so move it in a container rather than lifting it out. Breeding is not recorded in aquaria.
Good to know
The cheetah squeaker is buff to pale gold under dense dark spotting, which gives it the cheetah name. It belongs to the family Mochokidae, and like all mochokids it has a locking pectoral spine. It is also known as Waterlot's squeaker.
In the wild
The cheetah squeaker lives in the coastal rivers of the Guinea forest belt, from Guinea through Sierra Leone and Liberia to Ghana. It keeps to shaded water over sand and leaf litter.
Common questions
What size tank does a cheetah squeaker need?
A cheetah squeaker needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a cheetah squeaker need?
A cheetah squeaker is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
What does a cheetah squeaker eat?
A cheetah squeaker eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and the occasional piece of prawn. Feed it in the evening.
How big does a cheetah squeaker get?
An adult cheetah squeaker reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).
Related species
6.3 in (16 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Brichard's synodontis
Synodontis brichardi
6.3 in (16 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
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Synodontis soloni
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5.9 in (15 cm)21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bigeye squeaker
Synodontis alberti
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5.9 in (15 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Vermiculated squeaker
Synodontis schoutedeni
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7.5 in (19 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Lake Malawi syno
Synodontis njassae
7.5 in (19 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)21 gal (80 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Common syno
Synodontis nigrita
7.9 in (20 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)