Scientific Name
Synodontis contracta

Common Name
Bugeye squeaker

Biology
Forms large schools in pools, rivers and smaller streams with muddy bottoms or among vegetation near the shore. Prefers to swim upside-down and will feed in this position as it skims along just under the surface sucking in floating food. The mouth is ventrally located and the teeth are 'fused' together into a rasping patch or plate that is used to scrape algae and slime as well as other types of organisms off the surfaces of the plants, stones, driftwood, etc. Oviparous (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

Vinciguerra, 1928

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: middle Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo (= Stanley Pool) and the Kasai drainage (Ref. 78218, 82238).

Range

3°N - 10°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.2 - 7.2; dH range: 4 - 15 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

2 s.e. 0.00 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

9.7 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)