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Synodontis macrostoma facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The largemouth squeaker (Synodontis macrostoma) is a special type of upside-down catfish. It gets its name "largemouth" because of its big mouth! You can find this fish in rivers in Namibia and Zambia. It lives in the Kafue River, the upper Zambezi River, the Okavango River, and the Cunene River. Scientists Paul H. Skelton and Peter N. White first described this fish in 1990.


Quick facts for kids
Synodontis macrostoma
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Synodontis
Species:
macrostoma

What Does the Largemouth Squeaker Look Like?

Like other Synodontis catfish, the largemouth squeaker has a strong, bony head. This bony part goes all the way back to its first fin on its back, called the dorsal fin. Its head also has a small, bony part sticking out, called a humeral process.

Fins and Spines

This fish has three pairs of barbels, which are like whiskers. One pair is on its upper jaw, and two pairs are on its lower jaw. It has a large, fleshy fin called an adipose fin. Its tail, or caudal fin, is shaped like a fork.

The front edges of its dorsal fin (on its back) and pectoral fins (on its sides) are stiff spines. These spines can stand up straight and lock into place. This helps the fish protect itself from danger. Once locked, the spines are very hard to push down.

Mouth and Teeth

The largemouth squeaker has a special pad of teeth on the front of its upper jaw. These teeth are short and shaped like tiny chisels. On its lower jaw, the teeth are attached to flexible stalks. They are described as "s-shaped" or "hooked."

Size of the Fish

The largemouth squeaker can grow to about 9.2 centimeters (about 3.6 inches) long. Usually, female Synodontis fish are a little bigger than males of the same age.

Where Does the Largemouth Squeaker Live?

In the wild, this fish likes rivers that flow quickly and have lots of rocks. It is quite common in these areas.

What Do They Eat?

Synodontis fish, including the largemouth squeaker, are omnivores. This means they eat both plants and animals. They munch on insect larvae, algae, snails, clams, sponges, small crustaceans, and even the eggs of other fish.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Scientists don't know much about how most Synodontis fish reproduce. We do know that spawning, which is when fish lay eggs, probably happens during the rainy season. This is usually between July and October. During spawning, pairs of fish might swim together. Young fish grow very quickly in their first year. After that, their growth slows down as they get older.

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