Order Siluriformes
Family Mochokidae
Continued…
Genus Synodontis.
— Blotched Upside Down Catfish, Upsidedown Catfish — Synodontis nigriventris [David, 1936]. (Russian – Синодонтис перевертыш). Central part of the Congo River basin. Males 6 cm, females 8 cm. The smallest representative of the genus. It has a stocky, slightly laterally compressed body covered with mucous and durable skin, large eyes. The dorsal profile is more curved than the ventral one. Mouth inferior with three pairs of barbels. Mouth with a semi-suction disc.
The smallest catfish, brown-marbled to cream colored. A characteristic feature of this species is that the fish constantly stay in an upside-down position. As a result, the back of the “upside-down catfish” is significantly lighter than the belly, it is grey-beige with minor smudges. The coloration of the belly is darker and more contrasting.
Dark brown to black spots of various sizes are scattered all over the body, especially on the fins, sometimes merging into transverse bands. Depending on the condition of the fish and keeping conditions, white specks may appear and then disappear on its body. Fins are colorless with brown spots. Dorsal fin is triangular in shape with a powerful first ray. Caudal fin is bilobed. There is a large adipose fin. The male is smaller and slimmer than the female, the female’s body is slightly lighter and covered with larger spots.
Exceptionally peaceful, can be kept in a community aquarium. Compatible with fish of the same size and temperament (smaller and slower fish do not suit them). They like their bellies pressed against the surface of driftwood. Turning belly up, they hover for a long time near the surface, in the water column, or under driftwood, and therefore a cover of floating plants is necessary.
Dense vegetation, shelters, driftwood, grottoes, hollow tubes, bottomless flower pots are needed. The aquarium containing the catfishes should have small shelters so the fish can hide from excessive light. Rounded sand or gravel can be used as a substrate so the fish do not damage their barbels. Lighting is moderate.
They also prefer to live in a group where they can interact with each other. It becomes active at dusk or at night, sometimes coming out of shelters and swimming during the day. Sometimes it gets stuck in shelters, after which it falls into prolonged stress or dies. Synodontis is very difficult to catch with a net, and even harder to shake out safe and sound, as it spreads out its fins equipped with spines. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are mandatory.
In their native habitat, they feed on insect larvae on the water surface and also clean algae on the underside of leaves. Catfishes should not be overfed, the diet should include at least 20% plant matter, and 1-2 days a week fasting days should be arranged. They mature at 1.5-2 years. Spawning occurs in drainage pipes, flower pots. They live for 9 years. pH 6.5-7.0; dH 8-18°; T 22-27°C.
Identification: Synodontis nigriventris.
— Blackspotted Squeaker — Synodontis nigromaculatus [Boulenger, 1905]. (Russian – Пятнистый синодонтис). Synonym: Synodontis colyeri. Upper reaches of the Kasai and Zambezi, Limpopo, Lake Mweru, Bangweulu, and Tanganyika. 35 cm, in the aquarium 20-25 cm. Body coloration is very variable. Depending on the condition of the fish, it ranges from ash-gray with small black spots to smooth olive-green with an intense belly color. Eyes are large, dark. Mouth is inferior, large, lips are large.
All fins are grayish-olive. The edges of the caudal fin lobes are very elongated, the upper lobe is significantly longer than the lower. The dorsal and pectoral fins have strongly developed front rays with sharp spines at the ends. The adipose fin is large and almost merges with the caudal and dorsal fins. Females are larger and fuller than males. Up to 3-4 months of age, fry have wide dark vertical stripes alternating with narrower bright yellow stripes, but as they grow, the yellow color disappears.
Shoaling, sociable, calm, and peaceful fish. They can be kept in any aquarium with medium-sized fish. Aquarium decorated with driftwood, with powerful filtration. There must be driftwood in the aquarium, which, besides serving as a shelter, provides fish with an additional food source. Using a small “grater” on the lower lip, the catfishes scrape off the tiny Aufwuchs from it. They mature at 1.5 years.
— Lake Malawi Syno — Synodontis njassae [Keilhack, 1908]. (Russian – Синодонт малавийский). This is the only Synodontis variety found in Lake Malawi. 15 cm. Not distinguished by beauty. Body coloration is very variable, from silvery-gray to light brown. Beige-olive with coffee spots, and the spot pattern often varies among individuals. As a rule, it has many small spots and a slightly smaller number of large spots, or a combination of large and small spots.
The head has a golden sheen and generally features small spots. Males have a higher dorsal fin. Should not be kept with small fish, but makes a good addition to a hard-water Lake Malawi cichlid community. Shelters are a must – ceramic tubes, driftwood, stones.
Calm, peaceful fish, love water movement, during the day they mostly stay in shelters and become active at dusk. At night they dig in the substrate and may uproot plants. When the catfish feels threatened, it produces a defensive “grunting” sound. They do not like bright light, rock shelters are needed. Active aeration and water filtration are required. Omnivorous and unpretentious in terms of feeding: crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and their larvae. They live in captivity for 6-10 years. T 24-28°C; pH 6.0-8.0; dH 2-8°.
— Domino Syno, Onespot Squeaker — Synodontis notatus [Vaillant, 1893]. (Russian – Синодонтис сизый, однопятнистый). Congo, Stanley Pool. 16-26 cm. Rosy-gray coloration with one spot on the flanks [individuals with 2-3 spots also occur]. Males have longer fins. Young specimens are peaceful, even sociable, adults become territorial towards their own species and other synodontis.
Strong intraspecific aggression, therefore keep it alone or with fish of a similar size. Do not keep with small fish, can be kept with Alestidae, Ctenopoma, and West African cichlids. Sufficient shelters must be provided. It can often be seen during the day. pH 6.5-7.5; 8-18°dH; T 22-25°C.
Synodontis ocellifer, Synodontis ornatipinnis, Synodontis petricola, Synodontis pleurops.
Synodontis flavitaeniata, greshoffi, membranacea, multipunctata, nigrita. 
