Bigeye squeaker
Synodontis alberti
Also known as Albert's synodontis, Bigeye synodontis, High-fin synodontis, Albert's Squeaker Cat
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 21 gal
- 80 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Native to the Congo River basin in Central Africa.
Overview
The bigeye squeaker is an appealing, mostly peaceful catfish for the bottom of a community tank. It takes a little more care than the easiest community fish.
Caring for the bigeye squeaker
Give a bigeye squeaker a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L), with a soft sand bottom, driftwood and shaded caves. Set up moderate flow.
Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a near neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter over the sand.
The bigeye squeaker is mostly peaceful and suits a medium to large community of robust tank mates. It is fine alone, but it does well in a small group of its own kind. As it matures, it can be a little territorial with other bottom catfish. Breeding is not documented in home aquariums.
Good to know
The bigeye squeaker belongs to the catfish family Mochokidae. It has notably large eyes and a tall dorsal fin. It is also sold as Albert's synodontis or the high-fin synodontis.
In the wild
The bigeye squeaker comes from the tributaries and side streams of the Congo basin rather than the main river. It shelters among wood and roots by day and forages over the bottom at night, in warm, gently flowing water.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The bigeye squeaker is a mostly peaceful, social 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.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Peppered cory
Hoplisoma paleatum
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Siamese glassfish
Parambassis siamensis
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a bigeye squeaker need?
A bigeye squeaker needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a bigeye squeaker need?
A bigeye squeaker is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a bigeye squeaker eat?
A bigeye squeaker eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter. Feed it over a sandy bottom.
How big does a bigeye squeaker get?
An adult bigeye squeaker reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
5.9 in (15 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Vermiculated squeaker
Synodontis schoutedeni
5.9 in (15 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
6.1 in (15.5 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Scissortail squeaker
Synodontis soloni
6.1 in (15.5 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
6.3 in (16 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Brichard's synodontis
Synodontis brichardi
6.3 in (16 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
6.3 in (16 cm)21 gal (80 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Cheetah squeaker
Synodontis waterloti
6.3 in (16 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)
4.9 in (12.5 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Serpentis squeaker
Synodontis serpentis
4.9 in (12.5 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
7.5 in (19 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Lake Malawi syno
Synodontis njassae
7.5 in (19 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)