Synodontis

The black-spotted synodontis, Synodontis acanthomias, is a squeaker catfish from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seen less frequently in the trade, it ranks alongside S. schall as one of the more aggressive members of the genus and is particularly pugnacious towards conspecifics and other Synodontis. Very hardy and growing to around 30 cm, it makes a good tankmate for large, aggressive cichlids.

The high-fin synodontis, Synodontis alberti, is a squeaker catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Its barbels are the longest of any Synodontis, and its very large eyes reflect its nocturnal habits. Also known as the bigeye squeaker and Albert's synodontis, it is hardy, prefers cooler conditions than other members of the genus and is peaceful with tankmates over 2" long.

The mustard synodontis, Synodontis albolineata, is a small squeaker catfish endemic to the Majinga river system in Gabon. Also known as the mustard squeaker, it is imported infrequently but sometimes turns up in mixed boxes of Synodontis from exporters. It reaches around 10 cm and is peaceful with most species, though territorial towards its own kind in smaller systems.

The polka dot synodontis, Synodontis angelicus, is a squeaker catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Very nocturnal and long-lived, it can survive for over 20 years, and its spots vary from white to yellow on a grey to black base depending on locality. It becomes increasingly territorial as it matures, and adults are often completely intolerant of other bottom dwellers, especially other Synodontis.

Synodontis aterrima is a peaceful Synodontis catfish found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Infrequently offered for sale, it grows to 115 mm SL and suits a medium-sized community aquarium that is dimly lit and has plenty of hiding places. Territorial, it can be kept with others of its own kind if each fish has a refuge.

Brichard's Synodontis, Synodontis brichardi, is a catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. It inhabits rapids and highly oxygenated pools below waterfalls and will not thrive in aquaria with low water movement. In a biotope aquarium it moves in and out of areas of high and low current, rasping at algae on rocks. It is much more diurnal than many Synodontis, and its colours intensify with age.

The big-nosed upside-down catfish, Synodontis contractus, is a small Synodontis from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. Often confused with S. nigriventris, it is easily told apart by its larger eyes and broad mouth and head, and it spends most of its time swimming inverted. It should be kept in groups of at least three or four, and can be delicate and prone to disease when first imported.

The clown Synodontis, Synodontis decorus, is a large catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. The first ray of its dorsal fin is greatly extended, and it has filamentous maxillary barbels, a feature shared with only two other members of the genus. Growing to 300 mm SL, it is secretive and nocturnal, and too large for the general community, though peaceful with fish it cannot swallow.

Synodontis dhonti is a large Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in deep water down to at least 100 metres. Its deep-water habitat and solitary lifestyle make collection difficult, so it is rarely seen for sale. Juveniles may be confused with other Tanganyikan Synos but lose their spotted patterning as they mature. It grows to 400 mm SL, though usually much smaller in aquaria, and is territorial with its own kind.

The featherfin Synodontis, Synodontis euptera, is a catfish from Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ghana, Sudan, Chad and Niger. Juveniles are often sold as Synodontis 'Network' for their reticulated pattern, with no hint of an adult size of up to 300 mm SL. The pattern breaks up into simple spots with age as the long extensions of the 'feathered' dorsal fin develop. It can live for over 15 years in the aquarium.

The pyjama Synodontis, Synodontis flavitaeniata, is a catfish endemic to the Malebo Pool area of the River Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its patterning and colouration vary considerably, but it is difficult to misidentify. Also known as the orange striped squeaker, it has filamentous maxillary barbels like only two other members of the genus, and it is more sensitive to deteriorating water quality than many Synodontis.

Synodontis granulosa is a large Synodontis catfish endemic to the northern end of Lake Tanganyika, in Burundi and Tanzania. Its deep-water habitat, limited range and solitary lifestyle make collection difficult, so it is rarely seen for sale. It is territorial with its own kind and can be very aggressive in smaller aquaria, though settled fish often become tame enough to feed from the hand. Captive-bred fish from Eastern Europe have been reported to be hybrids.

Synodontis greshoffi is a Synodontis catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, growing to around 200 mm SL. Infrequently imported, it is occasionally confused with S. schoutedeni, which it superficially resembles. It becomes slightly territorial as it matures but can be kept in a small group if each fish has a refuge, and its adult size makes it unsuitable for the general community.

The cuckoo Synodontis, Synodontis multipunctata, is a Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it swims in large shoals. One of the only fish known to practise brood parasitism, it lays its eggs among those of a mouthbrooding cichlid, and the young catfish devour the host's eggs. It is bred quite often in aquaria, with cichlids from Lake Malawi or Victoria as hosts, and should be kept in a group of four or more.

The false upside-down catfish, Synodontis nigrita, is a widespread Synodontis recorded from eleven African countries, among them Nigeria and Mali. Often sold as the upside-down catfish, it inverts far less often than the true one, S. nigriventris, and grows far larger, so adults returned by owners are a common sight in shops. It is also confused with the similar but smaller S. robbianus, from which its greyish base colour separates it.

The upside-down catfish, Synodontis nigriventris, is a small Synodontis from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Cameroon. It lives among densely vegetated riverbanks and spends up to 90% of its time inverted, with a belly darker than its back. One of the most gentle members of the genus, it should be kept in groups of at least three or four.

The Lake Malawi Synodontis, Synodontis njassae, is the only Synodontis catfish in Lake Malawi, to which it is endemic. Both large- and small-spotted morphs are available in the trade. A fairly vigorous species, it suits a community of hard water Lake Malawi cichlids but not shy species, and it will fight with other Synodontis but is not aggressive towards its own kind.

The one-spot Synodontis, Synodontis notata, is a large Synodontis catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. Regional variants carry three, six or twelve spots or none, some sold under the invalid name S. ocellata, and similar species such as S. nummifer are often imported with it and all sold as notata. More active by day than many Synos, it is aggressive towards its own species, so only one should be kept unless the tank is very large.

The ocellated Synodontis, Synodontis ocellifer, is a catfish from Nigeria, Gambia, Chad, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Niger and Guinea. Often confused with similar Synodontis, it is distinguished by its very long adipose fin. One of the hardiest Synos available, it becomes slightly territorial as it matures, and many hybrids of it have been appearing on the market.

The dwarf lake Synodontis, Synodontis petricola, is a small, peaceful Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Unlike most of the genus it is bred quite often in aquaria, usually as an open-spawning egg scatterer, though it is also one of the few fish known to practise brood parasitism. It should be kept in a group of four or more, and a dwarf form adapts to a wider range of water chemistry.

The big eyed Synodontis, Synodontis pleurops, is a Synodontis catfish from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. Very large eyes and a downturned mouth suited to grazing algae make it hard to confuse with other species, though colouration and patterning vary considerably with locality. Very nocturnal, it is rarely seen unless the aquarium is dimly lit, and it keeps close to driftwood, rocks and broad plant leaves.

Poll's Synodontis, Synodontis polli, is a Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in large schools at 30 to 125 metres. It inhabits muddy bottoms and is not comfortable in well-lit conditions without hiding places. Superficially similar to S. petricola, it has larger body spots and a longer head, and it is occasionally mis-identified in the trade as S. angelicus, S. petricola or Synodontis sp.

Synodontis robbianus is a Synodontis catfish found only in Nigeria, in the Lower Niger and Cross rivers. It is often confused with the similar but larger S. nigrita, from which its brownish base colour separates it, and it resembles several other Synos when juvenile. A hardy, adaptable species suited to a newcomer to Synodontis, it is not often seen for sale.

Synodontis schall is a large, predatory Synodontis catfish recorded from seventeen African countries, among them Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. Regarded as the 'bad boy' of the genus in aquarium circles, it grows to 375 mm SL, is randomly aggressive and will eat smaller fish, so it should be kept only with tankmates that can stand their own ground. It is an important food fish in some of its native countries.

The vermiculated Synodontis, Synodontis schoutedeni, is a peaceful Synodontis catfish found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its colour and patterning vary considerably, and the vermiculated pattern seems to intensify with age in well-kept fish. Of moderate adult size, it seems very susceptible to bloating, so feeding of dried foods is best kept to a minimum.

Synodontis waterloti is a Synodontis catfish from Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Ghana. Uncommonly imported, it has distinctive serrated edges to the pectoral fins and shows its strongest colouration over a light substrate. It becomes slightly territorial as it matures, and its adult size of 185 mm SL makes it unsuitable for the general community.