What size tank do synodontis catfish need?

20 gallons
The ideal Synodontis catfish tank size should be at least 20 gallons if you want your fish to be happy and healthy. However, that’s the bare minimum. If you have the space for it, go up to 50 gallons! A 50-gallon tank will have no problem supporting a small group of four or five catfish.

How many synodontis catfish should be kept together?

Sometimes called Synodontis Lace Catfish for the pattern of their spots, this species does well singly or in groups of three or four per 20-gallon tank. This helps prevent inter-species aggression as each fish cause distractions for the others.

How big does a cuckoo catfish get?

10.8 inches
Maximum length of 10.8 inches (27.5 cm). Body is typically white, tan or gold with black spots that increase in size from the head, back towards the tail. Dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are predominantly black with white to clear edges.

Will Synodontis eat small fish?

Synodontis generally mix well with other fishes and are easy to keep. Larger ones could eat very small fishes, and they are often quite territorial towards other catfishes, especially other synos.

Can synodontis catfish live alone?

Though they can be kept singly, they prefer to be in groups and often congregate in their native habitats. They are not generally aggressive, but larger specimens should not be trusted with smaller fish in the tank as they may mistake them for food.

What is the smallest synodontis?

Pygmy Synodontis
Details. The Pygmy Synodontis (Synodontis petricola) is one of the smallest Synodontis, reaching 5 inches in length although they are much smaller at the time of purchase, sometimes under an inch in length.

Why are they called cuckoo catfish?

The fish, which take their name from the birds that drop their eggs in the nests of other species—cuckoos—are native to Lake Tanganyika in east central Africa.

How long do synodontis catfish live?

The Featherfin Squeaker is fairly large and a long-lived catfish. It can get up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) in length, though they usually only obtain 6 – 8” (15-20 cm) in the aquarium. They commonly have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, but there are reports of them living up to 25 years.

Do all Synodontis swim upside down?

Do all Synodontis swim the wrong way up? Some swim upside-down more than others (some hardly ever do it), and many babies don’t start swimming upside-down until they are two or three months old.

Why is my Synodontis swimming upside down?

A fish swimming upside down normally indicates a serious ailment and a near-term appointment with the Great Aquatic Paradise. But one unusual fish, the upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris), is quite adept at gracefully gliding upside down with the greatest of ease.

Will catfish keep tank clean?

Unlike most of the fish in your aquarium, catfish are bottom-feeders, which means they eat what falls to the tank floor. This can help remove excess food and algae from your fish home, which will keep your tank cleaner. It’s a no-brainer to bring one into your tank.

How fast do synodontis Lucipinnis grow?

From what we know Synodontis petricola will only reach about 3/4 to an inches in the first year and it might seem a long time to raise a fish but keep in mind they only reach 3-4 inches.

Will cuckoo catfish eat other fish?

They will eat a wide range of food from Algae wafers and catfish pellets to bloodworm and prawns. When they become adults be wary of keeping them with smaller fish such as Neon / cardinal tetras as these can easily become food for the Cuckoos.

Do cuckoo catfish go to school?

It gathers in large schools at depths of about 40 metres (130 ft) in the lake. S. multipunctatus is notable for its breeding behaviour – it is a brood parasite, similar to the cuckoo from which it takes its common name.

Do upside-down catfish sting?

– Are Upside Down Catfish Venomous? No, they aren’t, but they can sting you with their barbs if you pick them up by hand. The pectoral and dorsal spines of the Upside Down Catfish can cause serious injury. Despite their peaceful disposition, these fish will kill their predators when worst comes to worst.

Will upside-down catfish eat other fish?

Tankmates. Upside-down catfish are good community fish. A peaceful species, they can be combined with many other species successfully. Despite its amicable nature, it is still a carnivore that will eat very small fish.

Do catfish need heaters?

Heat & lights Catfish require warm water that’s between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose an aquarium heater with 5 watts of power for each gallon of water in the aquarium. A large aquarium may need a heater at either end.

Do synodontis catfish eat other fish?

What can I feed my cuckoo catfish?

Offer a variety meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc., along with some sinking catfish pellets/tablets/granules. Be sure to offer some vegetable matter such as cucumber, courgette, and shelled peas, along with occasional algae wafers.

What is Synodontis multipunctatus?

Synodontis multipunctatus is one of a number of species of upside-down catfish in Lake Tanganyika, which is more famous for its cichlids. It gathers in large schools at depths of about 40 metres (130 ft) in the lake.

What fish can I keep with Synodontis multipunctatus?

If you’re keeping Synodontis multipunctatus (commonly known as a cuckoo squeaker) with other fish, choose species that are less aggressive and/or peaceful by nature. Good tank mates include smaller gourami, rasboras, danios, and loaches. As far as breeding requirements go: your water quality will be more important than most other aspects.

How big do Synodontis cichlids get?

Synodontis multipunctatus are a popular addition to cichlid aquariums. They grow to about 15 centimetres (5.9 in), and can be bred in captivity provided suitable hosts are present. Some aquarists have had success with host cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria as well as those from Lake Tanganyika.

How can you tell if a synodontis is male or female?

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.