Scientific Name
Synodontis njassae

Common Name
Malawi squeaker

Biology
Found among the rocks during the day and moves around the area at night. Feeds on insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates (Ref. 5595). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Because of its bony head, this species is often not marketed in Malawi where it is relatively common and considered a favored food of fishermen. Marketed in Kyela (Ref. 4967).

Classification

Classified By

Keilhack, 1908

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Lake Malawi.

Range

8°S - 15°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

23 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 20 - 30 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.05 s.e. 0.38 Based on diet studies.

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

19.2 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: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (19 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)