Synodontis Petricola - Catfish | Size | Breeding | Care | Diet

Synodontis Petricola, or Synodontis Catfish is without doubt one of the most uncommon representatives of the species of catfish seen within the aquariums of Europeans from the water bodies of Central Africa.

In this article, I am going to talk about Synodontis Petricola size, for sale, catfish, breeding, growth rate, care, tank size, diet, max size, etc.

Synodontis Petricola profile

Aquarists love these fish not just for their external magnificence, unpretentiousness behavior, and calm disposition but additionally for the flexibility to save lots of the proprietor of the aquarium from extra cleansing of the soil and partitions. Catfish actively eat extra natural matter.

Synodontis Petricola History and Description

Synodontis Petricola belongs to the family of variegated catfish. Its natural habitat is the freshwater reservoirs of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.

Most catfishes are discovered within the African rivers Lekini and Malebo. They’re additionally typically present in wetlands on land.

The Latin identify “Synodontis” this fish received as a result of the particular construction of the jaws. Their teeth merged right into a single plate. The phrase “Synodontis” in translation means “merged tooth.”

Synodontis Petricola have been launched into Europe in the 1950s. Aquarium fish lovers instantly fell in love with them for his or her small dimension and good coziness with different aquarium inhabitants.

The looks of this catfish can differ considerably, however, all of them have widespread options:

The body of the Synodontis Petricola is elongated and oblate from the sides. The back is barely arched.

The eyes of the fish are giant and positioned on the perimeters of the cranium.

The mouth is giant, located deep within the backside of the head, and is framed by a thick lip.

Within the instant vicinity, three pairs of mustaches grow. That is an auxiliary instrument that facilitates fish orientation within the darkness of the night time.

Aquarium Synodontis has completely different colors. All of it depends upon the actual species.

Frequent to all are shiny colored spots on the pores and skin.

All catfish have very related fins. The dorsal has a triangular form with a prickly edge. The pectoral fins are giant, having an elongated form. The tail has an elongated V-shape.

All catfish have a terrific urge for food. Insects, snails, vegetation, and even small fish – all these are eaten by the Synodontis catfish.

Types of Synodontis Catfish

Scientists know greater than 150 species of those fish varieties. Furthermore, not all of them are described. The most popular amongst aquarists are only a few.

Cuckoo Catfish

Its Latin identity is synodontis multipuctatus, which implies synodontis polychaete. This catfish may be very keen on the owners of aquariums breeding Tanganyika cichlids.

This fish is known as Cuckoo as a result of through the breeding season it shortly swims previous spawning cichlids and throws its eggs into the masonry.

The feminine cichlid takes them for her personal and hides them in her mouth throughout the complete incubation interval.

The skin of Synodontis Multipunctatus is gentle with a yellowish tint. All through the physique space, there are darkish spots of assorted configurations and sizes.

In circumstances of aquarium breeding, the fish can develop as much as 12 cm in size.

Males are simply distinguished from females. They’re slimmer and have a brighter coloration. It’s not troublesome to comprise multi-spotted synodontis.

It’s good to give them an aquarium with a quantity of at the very least 80 liters. Inside it must be numerous shelters: synthetic grottoes, caves, and snags.

In order that catfish don’t injury their delicate antennae within the aquarium soil, there must be no sharp elements.

Due to this fact, when making a substrate, it’s higher to make use of coarse river sand, superb pebbles, and gravel without pronounced angles.

Water Parameters

it ought to have a neutral acid-base balance;
stiffness inside 15−20 ° W;
The temperature within the vary from 23 to 28 ° C;
the high degree of aeration and filtration.

To keep up the well being of the pets, the aquarist should change at the very least 1 / 4 of the overall amount of water within the aquarium at the very least once a week.

Synodontis Nigriventris

Synodontis nigriventris often known as upside-down catfish is discovered within the Kogo River. It has a really shiny look and humorous conduct.

It’s troublesome to look at the lifetime of a fish because it turns into active solely at the hours of darkness.

The skin of the fish is beige with a brown coloration, diluted with black spots. The dorsal fin is sharp, eyes are large and bulging. The stomach is darker than again and has a big bulge.

The fish received its identity as a result of more often than not spend the belly up. It turns over solely through the interval of accumulating meals from the underside.

To this point, scientists nonetheless haven’t been capable of clarifying the explanations for this conduct of this catfish.

Within the first months of its life, the fish is not any completely different from different fish, however then, for some unknown motive, flips up.

The typical size of the fish is small: the feminine is 10 cm, and the male is 7. In captivity, the changeling lives not than 10 years.

Resulting from its small size, an aquarium with a volume of 50 liters or extra is sufficient to preserve a pair of Synodontis nigriventris.

The water parameters in it must be as follows:

reasonable stiffness;
temperature from 24 to 26 ° C;
neutral acid-base steadiness.

At the least, a 3rd of the overall quantity of water within the aquarium must be modified weekly. In the course of the substitute, the fish will be transplanted into a brief container.

And right here you need to be cautious. In case of hazard, the shifter spreads its fins with sharp ends and may simply get tangled within the web.

Synodontis Eupterus

This species has a big dorsal fin, just like a veil, and unusual skin coloration. She is bluish with a whole lot of black dots.

The great thing about the synodontis catfish is the greatest revealed in solitary confinement.

This fish is broadly found in the water bodies of Chad, Sudan, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria. Synodontis Eupterus is omnivorous, however, most of all it loves insect larvae.

Synodontis Eupterus primarily stay alone, however, in pure circumstances, they often collect in small flocks. Nonetheless, the composition of such conglomerates is continually altering.

This is a reasonably large fish. Within the natural setting, it will possibly develop as much as 30 cm. In an aquarium, the size of its body hardly ever exceeds 20 cm.

If an aquarist complies with all upkeep guidelines, then the common life of an aquarium catfish will likely be 10 years. There are circumstances when fish survived for 25 years.

Synodontis Eupterus has an elongated physique, flattened from the perimeters in order that in cross-section it has a form near a triangle.

On the highest level of the physique is the dorsal fin. By its size, you possibly can distinguish a young individual from a grownup.

Not like different Synodontists, This catfish is totally unpretentious. He wants a spacious aquarium from 180 liters with snags and grottoes on the backside.

The pet will select one of many shelters and can zealously guard the doorway to it. If the proprietor has a need to plant algae within the aquarium soil, it’s higher to decide on species with a developed root system.

Synodontis Alberti

Synodontis Alberti can’t be known as a favorite of aquarists. This fish is energetic late at night, so watching it isn’t a particular pleasure. Whether it is turned on, it’s only to enhance the prevailing aquarium group.

Synodontis Alberti is discovered within the Congo Basin. It inhabits its quite a few tributaries and streams, nevertheless it hardly ever seems within the river itself.

If there are areas within the reservoir which might be densely overgrown with vegetation and with a lot of backside snags, then the high- fin catfish synodontis will stay there.

Keeping the fish is simple. It’s only vital to supply the following circumstances:

the quantity of the aquarium just isn’t lower than 80 l;
temperature range from 21 to 25 ° C;
impartial acidity;
the minimal water hardness is 5 ° F, and the utmost is 25 ° F;
the soil is smooth, mostly sandy;
the presence of artificial flow;
driftwood, branches, and algae on the backside of the aquarium.

The large-eyed catfish has a peaceful disposition. He doesn’t quarrel unnecessarily with different fish, so you possibly can safely run him into the aquarium with different small pets. If vital, he may be stored fully alone.

Synodontis Petricola Tank Mates

Synodontis Catfish are nigh wanderers and roam across the aquarium within the night time solely.

The very best tank mates for Synodontis Petricola are Gourami Fish, Giant-sized Barbs, Loaches, Tetras, Rainbowfish, Bigger Danios, Pleco fish, and different catfish.

Synodontis Petricola Feeding Guidelines

Synodontis Catfish can eat any sort of meal. Their meal preferences change considerably throughout the day.

Within the morning, they present all of the habits of predators. Presently, it’s higher to feed them with live and dry meals containing a considerable amount of protein.

Synodontis Catfish is not going to refuse items of shrimp and sprat meat however you shouldn’t feed them such a deal with, In any other case, they may become pure predators and start to destroy different inhabitants of the aquarium.

To blunt the instincts of a hunter within the synodontis, you should frequently feed vegetarian meals.

The Afternoon is the perfect time for feeding this fish and attempt to give them Plant-based meals, you should utilize crushed dandelion leaves, cucumbers, parts of zucchini, and spinach. Fish additionally enjoy oat flakes scalded with boiling water.

Synodontis Petricola are liable to weight problems, you shouldn’t overfeed them in any case.

Occasionally it is strongly recommended to rearrange fasting days: don’t feed the pets in any respect. They won’t die of starvation, however, this approach serves as an excellent prevention of illnesses.

With lovely finnage and comparatively mild temperament, synodontis catfish are omnivorous scavengers that can eat algae, pellets, flakes, and even stay meals in the event that they’re bigger than it.

Some individuals regard synodontis as being rabid killers, but when stored with Malawi cichlids, or bigger American cichlids, they do fairly properly.

Select Your Species Rigorously

There are various species of synodontis, some giant, some small, some costly, and a few comparatively low cost.

When you have at least a 20-gallon aquarium, chances are high you possibly can preserve a synodontis catfish fairly, fortunately.

You have to make sure that exactly what species you might be getting, nevertheless.

Many synodontis solely develop to 4 inches; nevertheless, some species can max out at properly over two toes.

For more information on numerous sorts of Synodontis Catfish, take a look at my Frequent Synodontis Species guide.

Synodontis Petricola Tank size

150 x 60 x 60cm/5 x 2 x 2’ for one and far bigger for a bunch, and group members are mentioned to be aggressive towards one another when grownup.

Logically, home this fish in a big Lake Tanganyika biotope aquarium, though it is going to predate cichlid fry at night.

Synodontis Petricola Tank Preparation

Synodontis Petricola are nocturnal, so you will not see them out too much through the day, and you must present them cowl to sleep below. Fake logs or a rock cave are excellent for this.

Additionally, guarantee that there are multiple hiding spots per tank. When you have only one, or if areas are scarce, the fish will combat one another for them.

If you wish to see extra of your synodontis catfish, it could be price your time investing in moonlight, a kind of aquarium lighting that simulates the sunshine of the moon.

This lets you see your fish correctly once they emerge from their cave, which they may do as a result of they assume it’s nighttime.

Synodontis Petricola Breeding

Synodontis Catfish is poorly accountable in aquarium breeding. It’s particularly exhausting to work with hybrid species.

To stimulate the replica course, breeders must inject hormonal medicine into their pets.

The one exception is the Cuckoo Catfish. This species of catfish breeds because of nesting parasitism, tossing its eggs to cichlids.

The principal drawback of the aquarium breeding of Synodontis Petricola lies within the impossibility of making superb circumstances for this course.

Many breeders take numerous tips: they warmth and funky the water, change the acid-base steadiness, and water hardness.

However, it doesn’t assist a lot. You too can attempt the lure for caviar. It’s put in in an empty aquarium stuffed with water alone. The Shelter is put in on the backside, an open container with a net is placed in it.

The feminine catfish climbs into the shelter and spawns. Caviar instantly enters the container. As quickly because the spawning is over, the female and male are far away from the aquarium.

The online is far away from the container in order that the fry, which is able to seem later, can independently get out of it.

Illness and Remedy

The Synodontis Petricola are in pretty good health and don’t typically trouble house owners with their diseases. However, they’ve them. Most illnesses are decided by exterior indicators.

If the pores and skin of the fish turn uninteresting, it signifies that the pet is faced with stress.

Worrying circumstances may be brought on by overcrowding within the aquarium or environmental degradation. It is sufficient to get rid of the unfavorable components for the fish to recover.

If the catfish lay on its facet and started to breathe closely, then this means a scarcity of oxygen within the water.

The explanation for that is most frequently the failure of the aerator. After repairing the equipment, the pet will recover quickly.

Furthermore, it’s fascinating to restore the operation of the system as early as attainable.

The fact is {that a} lengthy mendacity catfish on the backside fairly often leads to an infection of the fins. Fin rot develops. An infection is handled with a shower with Streptocide.

Synodontis Petricola is delicate to changes in any water parameters. It is sufficient to monitor its high quality in order that the fish don’t seem illnesses.

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