TankBud

Orientalis squeaker

Synodontis orientalis

Also known as Eastern dwarf squeaker

FreshwaterFish

Orientalis squeaker (Synodontis orientalis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.2–7.8
Adult size
4.3 in
11 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Ruvu and Rufiji drainages, Tanzania

Overview

The Orientalis squeaker is a small, mostly peaceful catfish for the bottom of the tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The name orientalis means eastern. The Orientalis squeaker is one of the few squeakers from the East African coast. Most of its genus lives in West and central African waters.

Caring for the Orientalis squeaker

Give an Orientalis squeaker at least 42 gal (160 L). Furnish the tank with a sand floor, bogwood and rocky caves, where it shelters by day. It comes out to feed after dark.

Keep the water warm, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.2 to 7.8. Water from soft and slightly acidic to slightly hard suits it, with gentle to moderate flow. Feed small sinking foods, fine pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia.

Keep one to a tank, since it is solitary and does not form groups. It is mostly peaceful, but choose its tank mates with caution. Calm, suitably sized companions are best, not very large or boisterous fish that would bully a small catfish. Breeding has not been recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

The Orientalis squeaker is a dwarf member of the family Mochokidae and small for its genus. The ichthyologist Lothar Seegers described it comparatively recently, in 2008.

In the wild

The Orientalis squeaker lives in the coastal rivers of eastern Tanzania, in the Ruvu and Rufiji drainages. There it shelters among wood and rock.

Common questions

What size tank does an Orientalis squeaker need?

An Orientalis squeaker needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Orientalis squeaker need?

An Orientalis squeaker is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.2–7.8.

What does an Orientalis squeaker eat?

An Orientalis squeaker eats small sinking foods, fine pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia. It comes out to feed after dark.

How big does an Orientalis squeaker get?

An adult Orientalis squeaker reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).

Related species