Pyjama Synodontis Care Guide
Synodontis flavitaeniatus is a Congo Basin catfish with yellow-and-brown horizontal banding, suited to soft to neutral water and caves.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Synodontis flavitaeniatus is an upside-down catfish native to the lower and central Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Standard length reaches about 15.5 cm, with total length up to 19.5 cm recorded. The species name means "yellow stripes"; the body is brownish to orange-brown with yellow and dark-brown horizontal bands.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis flavitaeniatus
- Describer: Boulenger, 1919
Habitat
The species occurs in the middle Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo and the Ubangi and Kasai drainages. FishBase lists a temperature range of 23–28 °C, pH of 6.5–8.0 and hardness of 4–25 dH for its freshwater, benthopelagic habitat.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24–28 °C
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- GH: 5–15 °dGH
- Adult size: 15–18 cm
- Lifespan: 8–15 years
Diet
Synodontis flavitaeniatus is omnivorous, with a trophic level near 2.9. The genus consumes insect larvae, algae, gastropods, bivalves, sponges, crustaceans and fish eggs. A varied prepared and frozen diet suits the aquarium, offered once daily.
Compatibility
A nocturnal, bottom-dwelling catfish of moderate size. It is kept with peaceful to robust tankmates and given caves and dim lighting. Small tetras are unsuitable companions.
Breeding
The species is oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding. FishBase notes high resilience with a population doubling time under 15 months. Aquarium breeding is rarely reported.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 16 February 2009.
Synodontis flavitaeniatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Synodontis flavitaeniatus is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, in the lower and central Congo Basin. It grows to about 15.5 cm standard length (up to 19.5 cm total length in the wild) and lives in tropical water around 23–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and 4–25 dH. The body is brownish or orange-brown with yellow and dark-brown horizontal bands; stressed fish can take on a pinkish tinge. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No spawning observations specific to Synodontis flavitaeniatus are available. For the genus, spawning is reported during the flooding season between roughly July and October, with pairs swimming in unison.
Egg & Fry Care
No documented account of egg or fry development exists for this species. Reproductive knowledge across the genus is largely limited to egg counts taken from gravid females, so no rearing procedure can be described.
Common Challenges
The absence of an established spawning trigger and rearing method is the central obstacle to captive reproduction of this Congo Basin species.