Pygmy Leopard Catfish
Synodontis petricola
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 81 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Species profile
Polka Dot Synodontis
Synodontis angelicus
Common names: Polka Dot Synodontis, Whitespotted Squeaker, Pearl Squeaker, Polkadot Squeaker
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 25 cm
Up to 25 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A prized, dark catfish covered in pale spots, which fade in adult females. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A prized, dark catfish covered in pale spots, which fade in adult females. It is very long-lived, at over 20 years, grows to about 25 cm, and hides by day.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes can be hard to tell apart, although females are often rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 970–1,220 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 243 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide caves, wood and shade, because many catfish are active mostly at night.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Usually most active at dusk and after dark, and it hides during the day.
Social needs vary, so see the notes for this species.
Can defend a favourite hiding place.
Check adult size before choosing tankmates, because a catfish may eat anything that fits in its mouth at night. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Feed sinking foods, ideally after lights-out, so that it gets its share.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Scatterer
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
- Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.
An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Synodontis
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
Salween Rock Catfish
Hara filamentosa
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C
Spotted Hoplo Catfish
Megalechis thoracata
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 173 litres
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 24 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C