Fischer's Victoria squeaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fischer's Victoria squeaker |
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The Fischer's Victoria squeaker (scientific name: Synodontis afrofischeri) is a fascinating type of catfish. It's sometimes called the marbled Victoria squeaker or Fischer's catfish. This fish is special because it belongs to a group known as "upside-down catfish."
You can find this unique fish in the freshwaters of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. A German scientist named Franz Martin Hilgendorf first described it in 1888. He found the very first example, called a holotype, in Lake Victoria. The name "afrofischeri" honors Dr. Gustav Fischer, a German explorer who traveled a lot in Africa.
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What Does the Fischer's Victoria Squeaker Look Like?
Body and Markings
This fish has a body that is usually a marbled yellowish-brown color. The amount of marbling can be different for each fish. Some might even be a plain brown color.
It has a dark or black stripe that runs from its eye all the way to its mouth. You can also see two lighter, uneven stripes on each side of its adipose fin. Young squeakers look very much like the young of another fish, S. fuelleborni.
Special Features
Like other fish in its family, the Fischer's Victoria squeaker has a "humeral process." This is a strong, bony spike connected to a hard cap on its head. You can see it sticking out past its gill opening.
The first ray (or spine) of its dorsal fin and pectoral fins are also very tough and have a serrated (saw-like) edge. Its tail fin is forked, like a "V" shape.
Teeth and Whiskers
In its upper jaw, this fish has short, cone-shaped teeth. The teeth in its lower jaw are S-shaped and can move.
It has one pair of long whiskers, called maxillary barbels, near its mouth. These can extend far past its gill cover. It also has two pairs of shorter whiskers, called mandibular barbels, which are often branched.
Size of the Fish
The Fischer's Victoria squeaker can grow to be about 17.7 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. This measurement is taken from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail.
Where Does the Fischer's Victoria Squeaker Live?
Water Conditions
In the wild, these fish prefer warm, tropical waters. The temperature of the water is usually between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius (72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit). The water's pH level is typically between 6.0 and 8.0, which means it can be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The water's hardness (dH) ranges from 5 to 25.
Depth and Location
You can find these fish at different depths, from the surface down to about 70 meters (230 feet). They are most often found around 30 meters (98 feet) deep.
They live in several important bodies of water in Africa. These include Lake Victoria, Lake Nagubago, the Victoria Nile river, Lake Kyoga, the Kagera River, Lake Ihema, and the Malagarasi River. There's also a chance they might live in the Kingani River.
