Red tail squeaker
Synodontis clarias
Also known as Mandi, Clarias squeaker
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Adult size
- 14.2 in (36 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal (450 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Nile and Sahelian rivers
- Family
- Mochokidae
Overview
Keep this large classic squeaker singly, as it is a solitary catfish that does not school and can be territorial with its own kind. It is a bottom dweller that wants open floor plus wood and caves for shelter. It is mostly peaceful but rated for caution, so give it robust, calm tankmates that are too big to be eaten. It is undemanding about water and tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Feed sinking pellets, wafers, and meaty frozen foods. Allow a tank of around 450 liters for an adult.
In the wild
It occurs widely across northern Africa, along the entire Nile and in rivers from Senegal to Ethiopia. Give it a roomy tank with a sand floor, bogwood, and rockwork, and it will accept a broad range of water. Keep it warm, from 23 to 27 C, at a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, from slightly acidic to clearly alkaline and moderately hard.
Good to know
A member of the catfish family Mochokidae, it grows to about 36 centimeters and is grey bodied with a distinctive red orange tail. It is one of the first catfishes ever formally named, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Breeding is not recorded in home aquaria.
Did you know
Linnaeus named this fish in 1758, in the same landmark work that started modern zoological naming, from specimens taken in the Nile near Cairo. That makes it one of the oldest scientifically named catfishes in the world.
Common questions
What size tank does a Red tail squeaker need?
A Red tail squeaker needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Red tail squeaker need?
Red tail squeaker are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.
How big do Red tail squeaker get?
An adult Red tail squeaker reaches about 14.2 in (36 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
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Related species
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Polka dot syno
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