Ornate Synodontis Care Guide
Synodontis ornatipinnis is a Congo Basin catfish with intricate marbled patterning and ornate banded fins, suited to soft to neutral water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Synodontis ornatipinnis is an upside-down catfish native to the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. Total length reaches about 40 cm. The species name means "ornate fins"; adults are pale olive to yellowish with intricate marbled body markings and yellow, black-spotted fins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis ornatipinnis
- Describer: Boulenger, 1899
Habitat
The species ranges through the Congo River basin from the rapids below Pool Malebo up to the Luongo River. FishBase lists a temperature range of 22–25 °C and pH of 6.5–7.5 for its freshwater, benthopelagic habitat.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24–28 °C
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- GH: 5–15 °dGH
- Adult size: 20–25 cm
- Lifespan: 8–15 years
Diet
Synodontis ornatipinnis is omnivorous, with a trophic level near 2.8. 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 that reaches a large adult size. It is kept with robust tankmates and given caves and dim lighting. Small tetras are unsuitable companions.
Breeding
The species is oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding; spawning in the genus is associated with the July–October flooding period. Aquarium breeding is rarely reported.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 16 February 2009.
Synodontis ornatipinnis Breeding Guide
Overview
Synodontis ornatipinnis is native to the Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia and is widespread through central Africa. It reaches a maximum total length of about 40 cm, with females tending to be slightly larger than males of comparable age. It is harvested for human consumption in its native range, and the IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No spawning observations specific to Synodontis ornatipinnis are available. For the genus, spawning is reported during the flooding season between roughly July and October, with pairs swimming in unison. Growth is rapid in the first year and slows with age.
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, along with the large adult size, are the central barriers to captive reproduction of this riverine species.