TankBud

Even-Spotted squeaker

Synodontis petricola

Also known as Even-spotted synodontis

FreshwaterFish

Even-Spotted squeaker (Synodontis petricola)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The Even-Spotted squeaker is a small, peaceful catfish from Lake Tanganyika, at home in a rocky, hard-water tank. It asks a little more of its keeper than the easiest fish do.

Did you know

The Even-Spotted squeaker is often confused with the cuckoo catfish and can use the same trick. It is a part-time brood parasite that can slip its eggs into a mouthbrooding cichlid's clutch.

Caring for the Even-Spotted squeaker

Give a group of Even-Spotted squeakers at least 21 gal (80 L). Build the tank from stacked rocks forming caves and crevices over sand, with clear swimming space. Strong filtration and good oxygen hold conditions steady.

Keep the water hard and alkaline with a high mineral content, at a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. A temperature of 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) suits it. Feed a mixed diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and algae-based foods, which it takes readily.

Keep Even-Spotted squeakers in a group of four or more. A group schools and forages actively over rock and sand, by day as well as at night. They are peaceful, and their modest size and calm nature make them good companions for Tanganyikan and other hard-water cichlids.

Breeding is possible but hard. It spawns by scattering eggs, which makes it easier to raise than the cuckoo catfish. Keepers often spawn it in a separate tank with the flowerpot method.

Good to know

The Even-Spotted squeaker is a dwarf squeaker in the family Mochokidae and one of the smaller members of its genus. It has the group's bony head shield and lockable spines, with neat dark spots on a pale body.

In the wild

The Even-Spotted squeaker is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Its name, petricola, refers to its life among the rocks of the shoreline. The lake water is hard, alkaline and very stable.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Even-Spotted squeaker is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Even-Spotted squeaker need?

An Even-Spotted squeaker needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Even-Spotted squeaker need?

An Even-Spotted squeaker is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does an Even-Spotted squeaker eat?

An Even-Spotted squeaker eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and algae-based foods. It takes all of them readily.

How big does an Even-Spotted squeaker get?

An adult Even-Spotted squeaker reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does an Even-Spotted squeaker need a group?

Yes. An Even-Spotted squeaker is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does an Even-Spotted squeaker breed?

The Even-Spotted squeaker breeds by scattering its eggs. Spawning it is hard, and keepers often use a separate tank and the flowerpot method.

Related species