Lake Victoria squeaker (Synodontis victoriae)

Scientific name: Synodontis victoriae Boulenger, 1906

The Lake Victoria squeaker (Synodontis victoriae) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–27°C (73–81°F). Native range: Africa, Lake Kioga, Victoria Nile, Lake Victoria, lower Kagera River and Malagarasi drainage.

Lake Victoria squeaker care at a glance

Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)

Biology

Inhabits lakes. Most common at depths of more than 20 m, over soft bottoms although it is also know to occur over hard substrates in water over 13 m deep. Feeds on mollusks and insects. S. victoriae is able to extract the flesh of snails without crushing their shells. Rarely grows to lengths greater than 35 cm SL. Oviparous.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Synodontis victoriae
Family: Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 35.0
Depth range: 0–80 m (0–262 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 80 m, usually 20 - ? m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Lake Kioga, Victoria Nile, Lake Victoria, lower Kagera River and Malagarasi drainage.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,500)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026