Synodontis Petricola care guide
Synodontis Petricola (Synodontis petricola) — minimum tank 120 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 7.5-8.5.
Overview
The Petricola Synodontis (Synodontis petricola) is a small mochokid catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Its body is pale grey to cream with bold black spots, and it lives among the rocky shoreline habitats of the lake.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis petricola
- Common synonyms: Pygmy Leopard Catfish
Habitat
Endemic to rocky littoral zones of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, in hard, strongly alkaline water rich in dissolved minerals.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L (31.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-12 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- School size: ≥4 individuals
Diet
An omnivore. Offer sinking pellets, granules and live or frozen foods such as bloodworms and daphnia.
Compatibility
A peaceful shoaling catfish best kept in groups of four or more in a Tanganyika-style rock aquarium. Compatible with peaceful Tanganyikan cichlids and other rock-dwelling Synodontis. Buffered hard, alkaline water is essential for long-term health.
Breeding
A cave-spawning species and a known brood parasite of mouthbrooding cichlids — Synodontis petricola eggs can be reared in the mouths of cuckoo-host cichlid females. Hobbyist breeding has been achieved using both cave and host-cichlid methods.