Synodontis waterloti

Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, GuineaBissau, Sierra Leone, Ghana.

Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, GuineaBissau, Sierra Leone, Ghana.

90 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm36 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~81 litres~21 US gal.

An aquarium with a soft substrate and rocks, pieces of driftwood and twisted roots arranged to form hiding places suits this species. Floating vegetation is also recommended in order to diffuse the light entering the tank. Other planting is beneficial but not essential.

Temperature: 23 – 25 °C73 – 77 °F

pH: 6.5-7.5

Hardness: 5-15 dH

Synodontis are omnivorous and are most unfussy in terms of feeding. Frozen, live and dried foods are all accepted. It also relishes vegetable matter in the form of shelled peas, cucumber etc., which it will rasp at with the teeth in its lower jaw.

Should not be kept with any fish so small as to be considered food. Ideal tankmates include Alestiid tetras, robust cichlids (particularly West African species), Mormyrids, Knifefish, Gouramis and larger rasboras and barbs. It tends to become slightly territorial as it matures, especially towards other Synos. However, any aggression is usually far less pronounced than in some other members of the genus and it can be maintained in a small group in a suitably sized aquarium provided each fish is given a refuge to call home. Not recommended for the general community due to its adult size.

Adult females are much plumper than males. It can also be sexed by examining the genital papillae. This is not for the amateur however. The fish should be held ventral side up in the palm of your hand and the dorsal fin taken between your middle and ring fingers in order to avoid being pierced by the sharp dorsal fin rays. The genital area you are looking for is concealed beneath the pelvic fins. This can be exposed by pulling (gently) on the caudal fin. A male fish will exhibit an extended papillae which should be pointed and ridged. The spermatoduct can be seen on the caudal side. Females also have a clearly visible papillae but this is more rounded and the oviduct is on the opposite side to the male's spermatoduct. Most species of medium/large Synodontis can be sexed using this method but it should be noted that most species take 2 years or more to reach sexual maturity.

Unrecorded in aquaria.

This is an uncommonly imported Syno that is nevertheless very attractive. It has distinctive serrated edges to the pectoral fins and will exhibit its strongest colouration over a light coloured substrate.