Red tail squeaker
Synodontis clarias
Also known as Mandi, Clarias squeaker
FreshwaterFish
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
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Nile and Sahelian rivers
Overview
The red tail squeaker is a large, classic catfish for the bottom of a very big tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
Carl Linnaeus named the red tail squeaker in 1758, in the landmark work that started modern zoological naming. His specimens came from the Nile near Cairo. That makes it one of the oldest scientifically named catfishes in the world.
Caring for the red tail squeaker
Give a red tail squeaker a tank of at least 119 gal (450 L), since it is a large catfish. It lives on the bottom and wants open floor, with wood and caves for shelter. A sand floor, bogwood and rockwork suit it.
It is undemanding about water and accepts a broad range. Keep it warm, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Water from slightly acidic to clearly alkaline and moderately hard suits it. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and meaty frozen foods.
Keep just one, since it is a solitary catfish that does not school and can be territorial with its own kind. It is mostly peaceful, but choose its tank mates with caution. Give it robust, calm tank mates that are too big to be eaten. Breeding is not recorded in home aquaria.
Good to know
The red tail squeaker belongs to the catfish family Mochokidae. It has a gray body and a distinctive red orange tail. It is also known as the mandi or the clarias squeaker.
In the wild
The red tail squeaker occurs widely across northern Africa. It lives along the entire Nile and in the Sahelian rivers from Senegal to Ethiopia.
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 does a red tail squeaker need?
A red tail squeaker is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.
What does a red tail squeaker eat?
A red tail squeaker eats sinking pellets, wafers and meaty frozen foods.
How big does a red tail squeaker get?
An adult red tail squeaker reaches about 14.2 in (36 cm).
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