TankBud

Featherfin squeaker

Synodontis eupterus

Also known as Featherfin Synodontis

FreshwaterFish

Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus)
Silex6 · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Niger

Overview

The featherfin squeaker is a mostly peaceful African catfish for the bottom of a tank of sturdy fish. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Young featherfin squeakers look plain. As they mature, the first dorsal fin grows into a tall, lacy plume of branched rays.

Caring for the featherfin squeaker

Give a featherfin squeaker at least 29 gal (110 L). A soft sandy bed protects its long barbels, and bogwood, rock and PVC caves give it shade and daytime cover. Leave open space to swim as well.

Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Good filtration, a moderate current and steady oxygen keep it in condition.

It forages over the bottom at night, so offer sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter. Like several African squeakers, it sometimes swims upside down to feed beneath wood or the surface.

Keep one featherfin squeaker on its own, since it does not need company and can grow territorial toward other bottom catfish. It is mostly peaceful but too large for a nano community. It mixes well with robust, medium to large tank mates such as bigger tetras, barbs, West African cichlids and gouramis. Breeding is not documented in home aquariums.

Good to know

The featherfin squeaker belongs to the family Mochokidae and carries the family's bony head plates and locking spines. Its name comes from the feathered dorsal fin of the adults. Wild fish have been recorded larger than the size it commonly reaches in aquariums.

In the wild

The featherfin squeaker lives in the rivers and floodplains of the Sahel and White Nile region. It has been recorded from Nigeria, Mali, Chad and Niger. There it shelters among wood and roots in warm, gently flowing water.

Common questions

What size tank does a featherfin squeaker need?

A featherfin squeaker needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a featherfin squeaker need?

A featherfin squeaker is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a featherfin squeaker eat?

A featherfin squeaker eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter. It forages over the bottom at night and sometimes swims upside down to feed.

How big does a featherfin squeaker get?

An adult featherfin squeaker reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species