Order Siluriformes
Family Mochokidae
Continued…
Genus Synodontis.
— Synodontis camelopardalis [Poll, 1971]. Congo, Lake Victoria. 15 cm. Golden-white with marbled patterns of brown spots and stripes. Dimly lit aquarium with a soft substrate, rocks, pieces of wood, and twisted roots to form hiding places. Floating plants to diffuse the light. Active at dusk and at night. It needs a sufficient number of hiding places (driftwood burrows) and shelters among groups of dense vegetation. Aeration, filtration, and partial water changes are required. Up to 20 percent plant-based food. pH 6.0-7.5; dH 3-15°; T 24-26°C.
— Synodontis clarias [Linnaeus, 1758]. (Eng- Red Tail Syno, Red Tailed Synodontis). Synonym: Pimelodus clarias, synodontes, Silurus callarias, clarias, Synodontis macrodon. Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Chad, Nile. 30 cm. Brownish-gray with a golden sheen and a reddish-brown caudal fin, whitish belly.
There are several small black spots on the body, which vary greatly in number and concentration among individuals. The other fins are the same color as the body. Male with a well-developed dorsal fin. Juveniles are dark green with large black spots on the body and a blood-red caudal fin.
Aquarium with plenty of hiding places among driftwood and plants, sandy substrate. Omnivorous species, accepts dry and live foods. Synodontis should not be overfed, as this leads to obesity, rendering the fish sterile. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 18°; T 21-24°C.
— Synodontis contractus [Vinciguerra, 1928]. (Eng- Big Nosed Upside Down Catfish, Bug Eyed Squeaker). Central part and delta of the Congo River. 7-10 cm. Colored in beige-gray with dark coffee spots and speckles alternating with light dots. The first ray of the dorsal, pectoral fins, and tail has brown streaks. Mouth with a noticeably protruding sucker. Often confused with S. nigriventris, but differs by larger eyes, wider mouth, and head.
One of the most delicate members of the genus, can be kept with the most peaceful fish species. Calm, peaceful fish, keep in groups, love water movement, during the day they usually stay in hiding and become active at dusk. At night, they dig in the substrate and may uproot plants. Do not like bright light, shelters are needed. Omnivorous and unpretentious regarding feeding. Unlike most other synodontis, it will often feed near the surface while swimming upside down. pH 6.2-7.2; 3-15° dH; T 22-27°C.
— Synodontis decorus [Boulenger, 1899]. Synonym: Synodontis vittatus. (Eng- Clown Squeaker Catfish, Clown Catfish, Decorated Synodontis). Cameroon, Congo River basins. Large, up to 32 cm, in an aquarium 20-25 cm. Has a stocky, slightly elongated body compressed at the sides. Inferior mouth with 3 pairs of barbels. Cream-white coloration with large black spots scattered all over the body; the big-eyed head features a marbled network of dark speckles. Brownish back, silvery-white belly. Small black speckles on the head.
The main decoration is the thread-like elongated first ray of the dorsal fin (with age, a filament develops, reaching the end of the caudal fin) and a neat lyre-shaped tail. Dorsal, caudal, anal, and ventral fins have black transverse stripes. Spines are present on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Adipose fin is large. Deeply notched caudal fin. Adult males are darker in color and smaller than females.
When you buy a young catfish and place it in a small tank, you must know that it will grow and eventually require a large aquarium. Peaceful, calm, and schooling fish, can be kept in a group. Do not keep with small fish or with individuals that have open wounds (synodontis will feed on the wound area).
Can be kept in a community aquarium with large fish, plenty of hiding places, and large bushes of broad-leaved plants with a strong root system. Do not keep with fish that can bite off the filament of its dorsal fin. Moderate lighting.
Very secretive, nocturnal. They swim very gracefully, and catching them is extremely difficult. Shelters and broad-leaved plants are required. Filtration, aeration, and weekly water changes are necessary. In their natural habitat, they feed on invertebrates, small fish, and shrimp. The diet should consist of 80% meaty and 20% vegetable food, fed in the evening before lights out. Rarely get sick. Reaches sexual maturity at 1.5-2 years of age. Lifespan in captivity is 5 to 15 years. dH 5-20°; pH 6.5-7.5; T 23-28°C.
— Synodontis eupterus [Boulenger, 1901]. (Eng- Feather Fin Catfish, Synodontis, Sqeaker Catfish, Synodontis). Central Africa, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Nile River. 20-25 cm, in aquarium 15-18 cm. Has 3 pairs of barbels, mandibular ones reach the base of the pectoral fin. Eyes are large.
The main body background is brownish in youth and black-brown or brownish-gray in adults. Head, upper body, and adipose fin are spotted (patterns vary by fish). Body and fins are densely covered with fine dark gray speckles. Other fins are covered with black spots.
The highlight of this species is the large flag-like elongated dorsal fin, with each ray extending into a long filament of varying lengths in different individuals. Tail is deeply forked. Males are brighter and slimmer than females. Juveniles have a brownish-maroon color with a marbled striped pattern, which gradually disappears and is replaced by brown spots on the upper half of the body; the caudal fin is also striped initially, later forming spots.
Peaceful species with similarly sized, robust tankmates such as African cichlids. Compatible with individuals of similar size and temperament, should not be kept with small fish that will be viewed as food. Territorial and aggressive towards its own kind upon reaching maturity, so it is best kept singly or with African cichlids. Very territorial during the breeding season.
The aquarium should not be too small, featuring numerous hiding places made of rocks and driftwood. Each fish will choose a specific spot under a piece of wood or in a cave, staying there most of its life and periodically competing with others for territory. Substrate of sand or smooth gravel to reduce the risk of barbel damage. Plants should be robust with strong root systems, preferably potted, as they can bulldoze everything in their path.
Dislikes bright light, prefers dim conditions, becomes active at dusk, and hides in various shelters during the day. May appear at the front of the aquarium at any time of day in search of food. Filtration (preferably through peat), aeration, water changes. Adults eat a varied diet, which is key to keeping them healthy. Omnivorous and unpretentious regarding feeding, will accept flakes, pellets, shrimp, and frozen bloodworms. Lifespan 15 years. pH 6.5-7.5; dH 4-12°; T 24-26°C.
Identification: Synodontis eupterus.
Synodontis flavitaeniata, greshoffi, membranacea, multipunctata, nigrita.
Synodontis alberti, Synodontis angelica, Synodontis brichardi. 
