Polka Dot Squeaker Care Guide
Synodontis angelicus is a Congo Basin catfish with spotted, blotched coloration that changes with age, growing large and living long.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The polka dot squeaker (Synodontis angelicus) is an upside-down catfish of the family Mochokidae, described by Louise Schilthuis in 1891. Juveniles measuring 4-9 cm show white round spots on a red-violet background, while adults of 9-18 cm are grey to dark violet with reddish-yellow to brown-red blotches, so the pattern changes with age.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis angelicus
Habitat
The species is native to the Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, and was originally discovered in the Malebo Pool of the Congo River.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (record); Wikipedia cites 24-28 °C
- pH: 6-7.5 (record); Wikipedia cites 6.0-8.0
- GH: 4-15 °dGH (record); Wikipedia cites 5-19 dGH
- Maximum size: up to 55 cm; typically about 25 cm
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
Synodontis angelicus is an omnivore that consumes smaller live foods and prepared foods. It will excavate substrate and may nibble plants.
Compatibility
It is nocturnal and somewhat territorial toward conspecifics but generally peaceful with other species. The record lists large cichlids, large catfish and bichirs as suitable companions, while small fish and additional S. angelicus are best avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Polka Dot Squeaker Breeding Guide
Overview
The polka dot squeaker (Synodontis angelicus) is an African mochokid catfish from slow-moving river areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. It reaches up to 25 cm standard length in aquaria. It is among the most sought-after Synodontis, but is not a fish that can be bred in a home tank.
Sexing
Mature females display somewhat reduced coloration compared to males. Definitive sexing requires examining the genital papillae with the fish held ventral-side up beneath the pelvic fins: males show a pointed, ridged papilla with a visible spermatoduct, while the female's is more rounded. Most fish reach sexual maturity only after two or more years.
Egg & Fry Care
Because natural aquarium spawning is undocumented, there is no reliable hobby record of egg or fry care. Any captive-bred stock results from injected hormones under controlled commercial conditions rather than tank pairing.
Common Challenges
The natural triggers that induce spawning in this species have not been replicated in aquaria, so hobby breeding is not a realistic goal. Keep the polka dot squeaker as a display fish at 24-28 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 3-20 dH, and source captive-bred specimens where possible to reduce pressure on wild populations.