Poll's Synodontis Care Guide
Synodontis polli is a Lake Tanganyika endemic catfish with a spotted olive-brown body, suited to spacious tanks with Tanganyikan cichlids.
Overview
Synodontis polli, Poll's synodontis, is a catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It has an olive-brown back covered with large irregular black spots, a lighter underside, white barbels and dark triangles at the bases of the rayed fins. It is a member of the squeaker catfish family, Mochokidae.
Taxonomy
- Family: Mochokidae
- Genus: Synodontis
- Scientific name: Synodontis polli
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, with records from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia and Tanzania (Wikipedia). It inhabits rocky coasts in the littoral zone at depths down to about 20 metres. The lake maintains stable temperatures of 22-26 °C and an alkaline pH around 8.5-9.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-9.0
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. In the wild it feeds on algae scraped from rocks and on small invertebrates (Wikipedia). In the aquarium it benefits from a varied diet of sinking dried foods, frozen and live items, offered when activity peaks in dim light.
Compatibility
Poll's synodontis is a peaceful, mostly nocturnal bottom-dweller that benefits from caves and subdued lighting. It is compatible with most Tanganyikan and other African cichlids and similarly sized tankmates, while very small fish that could be eaten are best avoided.
Breeding
The species is oviparous and shows distinct pairing during breeding (FishBase). Wikipedia notes that spawning likely occurs during the July-October flooding season, though the reproductive habits of most Synodontis species remain poorly documented; captive breeding is considered advanced.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2025), per FishBase.