Microsynodontis polli
Pygmy Synodontis
Last revised 2026Edit this page
On this page11 sections
Quick factsEdit
Difficulty3 of 8 measures
- Space
- medium tank
- Water
- needs a steady pH
- Temp
- needs a steady temperature
- Diet
- unknown
- Temperament
- unknown
- Social
- unknown
- Compatibility
- unknown
Other demands
Each of these can raise the rating on its own, whatever the measures above say.
- Hardiness
- unknown
The pygmy synodontis, Microsynodontis polli, is a small catfish from the upper Niger basin in Liberia and Guinea, growing to around 40 mm SL. It is sometimes sold mislabelled as Synodontis sp. 'Nyong' or M. batesii but lacks the distinct body barring of that species. New imports are often delicate, and it is quite shy, so it should not be kept with aggressive or very vigorous fish.
Distribution
EditA West African species found in Liberia and Guinea, where it inhabits parts of the Upper Niger river basin..
Habitat
Write a noteEditA West African species found in Liberia and Guinea, where it inhabits parts of the Upper Niger river basin..
Aquarium size
Write a noteEdit45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~41 litres~11 US gal.
Maintenance
Write a noteEditA dimly lit aquarium with a soft substrate and rocks, pieces of driftwood and twisted roots arranged to form hiding places suits this species. Lighting should be dim. Plants are appreciated but not essential.
Water conditions
EditTemperature: 24 – 27 °C75 – 81 °F
pH: 6.8-7.5
Hardness: 10-15 dH
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Diet
Write a noteEditFrozen, live and dried foods are all accepted.
Behaviour and compatibility
Write a noteEditM. polli can be combined with most peaceful species successfully. The most appropriate tankmates include African tetras, dwarf cichlids such as Pelvivachromis or Anomalochromis and small mormyrids. It should not be kept with aggressive or very vigorous fish as it is quite shy. It will not fight with conspecifics and can be kept in groups with no problems.
Sexual dimorphism
Write a noteEditMature females are rounder in the belly than males.
Reproduction
Write a noteEditUnrecorded in aquaria.
Notes
EditThere are a dozen described species of Microsynodontis but most are not seen in the hobby. This species is one of the commoner ones however. Microsynodontis are much smaller than Synodontis species, with M. batesii being the largest. They can be distinguished from Synos and the similar Mochokiella by the rounded or slightly forked caudal fin. The caudal fin is highly forked in the other genera. Interestingly in Microsynodontis the eyeball is fixed and cannot be moved unlike in Synodontis which has a moveable eye.
Care should be taken when acclimatising Microsynodontis as they are often quite delicate when first imported. This species sometimes seen for sale labelled incorrectly as Synodontis sp. "Nyong" or M. batesii. Unlike batesii it has no distinct barring on the body.
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Also missing: taxonomic authority, etymology.
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