Cuckoo Catfish Care Guide
Synodontis multipunctatus is a Lake Tanganyika catfish and the only known fish brood parasite, mixing its eggs with mouthbrooding cichlids.
Overview
The cuckoo catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus) is a Mochokidae catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, described by Boulenger in 1898. It has a body covered in multiple spots. It is famous as the only known fish brood parasite, exploiting mouthbrooding cichlids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis multipunctatus
Habitat
The species is native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa's Great Rift Valley. FishBase records it over muddy bottoms down to at least 100 metres, and it forms large schools in deeper water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (record); FishBase reports 21-25 °C
- pH: 7.5-9
- GH: 10-20 °dGH (FishBase reports a wide 15-35 dH range)
- Maximum size: about 27.5 cm; around 15 cm in aquariums
- Group: keep 3 or more
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
It is a generalist feeder. FishBase notes it feeds on snails, particularly Neothauma species, as a zoobenthos feeder, and it also takes fish eggs in line with its parasitic strategy. In aquariums it accepts prepared and live foods.
Compatibility
It can be territorial and aggressive toward other Synodontis, so it is best kept in groups of three or more with caves and cover. The record lists Tanganyikan cichlids, Frontosa and other Synodontis as suitable companions; small fish and aggressive bottom dwellers are best avoided.
Breeding
The cuckoo catfish times its spawning to coincide with that of mouthbrooding cichlids, mixing its eggs into the host's clutch. The catfish larvae develop faster than the host fry and consume the cichlid eggs and embryos inside the mother's mouth, which removes parental-care burden from the catfish.