[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Catfish – Synodontis

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Catfish

Synodontis

Vermiculated Synodontis (Synodontis schoutedeni)

• ORIGINS: Africa, restricted to the vicinity of central Congo.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid, but may bully their own kind.

Synodontids are a popular group of catfish for the aquarium, partly because they do not grow to a large size, but also because they are active and attractively patterned in many cases. The marbling of the Vermiculated Synodontis makes this species easy to identify, although the precise patterning does differ slightly between individuals. During the daytime, a Vermiculated Synodontis may seek to conceal its presence in the aquarium by lying camouflaged and motionless on a rock, perhaps using its mouthparts to anchor itself in place. Vermiculated Synodontis tend to be quite solitary, and it is not wise to try to keep them in groups, because bullying is likely to occur. This will be not only distressing for the victims but also disruptive for other tank occupants.

Striped Synodontis (Synodontis flavitaeniatus)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in Zaire, in the vicinity of the Stanley Pool and the Chiloango River.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prefers vegetable matter and small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Nonaggressive.

This boldly patterned catfish can be distinguished by its horizontal yellowish stripes and extensive patches of blackish-brown coloration. The Striped Synodontis, which is not as widely available as most other members of this group, tends to burrow less in the substrate than related species. There need to be suitable retreats in its aquarium, in the form of pieces of bogwood or rocks. The Striped Synodontis is easy to cater to, since it will eat a wide range of foods, even browsing on algae.

Polkadot African Catfish (Synodontis angelicus)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in Zaire around Mousembe and Stanley Pool, and also in Cameroon.
• SIZE: 6 1⁄2 in (18 cm).
• DIET: Smaller live foods, algae, and prepared foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft to hard (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid.

A variable patterning of creamy-white spots on a dark chocolate-brown background characterizes these catfish. The spots become less pronounced with age, and the background color also becomes grayer. Polkadot African Catfish are largely nocturnal in their habits, emerging from their hiding places under cover of darkness. Like others of their kind, these catfish will excavate the substrate in search of edible items, and they may nibble aquatic plants.

Congo Synodontis (Synodontis greshoffi)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in the Congo basin, although absent from the lower Congo and the Luapula River.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prefers live foods, but will take tablets.
• WATER: Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C ); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid.

The Congo Synodontis has relatively broad, creamy stripes set against a brown background color. Some authorities consider it to be the same species as S. afrofischeri, whose distribution extends to the Nile basin, where it occurs in Lake Victoria and other localities. The Congo Synodontis has care needs similar to other species in the group.

Alberti Catfish (Synodontis alberti)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in various localities in Zaire, including Stanley Pool, Lukulu River, and near Kinshasa.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prefers live foods, but will take tablets.
• WATER: Temperature 72–81°F (22–27°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Nonaggressive.

A brown-blotched pattern helps to distinguish this species from its catfish relatives. The Alberti Catfish has special teeth in its lower jaw, which it uses to rasp algal growths off rocks; long barbels help the fish to orient itself and to search for food. The fish should be provided with algae (or a suitable substitute) to eat. It is best to grow algae for food in a separate tank, not the fish’s home tank. This is because the algae require good illumination for productive growth, but the catfish prefers subdued lighting.

Notatus (Synodontis notatus)

• ORIGINS: West Africa, occurring in parts of Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Chad, and Niger.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prefers live foods, but will take tablets.
• WATER: Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Lively but nonaggressive.

Unfortunately, sexing the Notatus is visually impossible. In common with other synodontids, it is very reluctant to spawn in aquarium surroundings, and very little has been recorded about its breeding behavior. From what is known, the eggs take up to a week to hatch. The young can be reared on brine shrimp after about four days, when they are free-swimming.

Featherfin Synodontis (Synodontis eupterus)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in stretches of the White Nile, the Chad basin, and in parts of Niger.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prefers live foods, but will take tablets.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid.

Young Featherfin Synodontis have a pattern of dark-brown spots on a light-brown background. As the fish mature, the spots darken and the body usually takes on a bluish hue, but it can sometimes appear more gray. The name Featherfin derives from the featherlike extension on the dorsal fin. These active catfish need a fine substrate in which they can dig and clear areas in the tank where they can swim.

AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD

Synodontis catfish as a group are sometimes described as upside-down catfish, because of the way in which they occasionally swim. This behavior is more common in some species than others, including the Upside-Down Synodontis (S. nigriventris) seen below. By swimming upside down, the fish can reach algae growing in areas that would otherwise be out of reach. When inverted like this, their mottled underparts help to conceal their presence from any predators above. Young synodontids start to swim in this way when they are approximately two months old.

Clown Synodontis (Synodontis decorus)

• ORIGINS: Africa, reported from localities in Zaire and Cameroon.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Live foods and prepared diets.
• WATER: Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid.

Bold, dark spots and blotches on a pinkish-white body, together with a much finer pattern of speckling on the head, characterize the Clown Synodontis. A spectacular long, narrow extension develops at the top of the dorsal fin in adult fish. These catfish should be caught with great care, because the spines on their pectoral fins can easily become enmeshed in a net. Their large size means that they often stir up sediment when digging in the aquarium. This tends to cover fine-leaved plants and impede their growth. It is therefore a good idea either to choose plastic plants, which will not be affected by the digging habits of these catfish, or to restrict the choice to tough, broadleaved plants. Clown Synodontis do not swim upside down on a regular basis but may occasionally be observed feeding at the surface in this fashion, taking freeze-dried or fresh live foods, such as mosquito larvae.