Salween Rock Catfish
Hara filamentosa
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C
Species profile
Pygmy Leopard Catfish
Synodontis petricola
Common names: Pygmy Leopard Catfish, Dwarf Lake Synodontis, Cuckoo Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 13 cm
Up to 13 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A small, spotted, peaceful catfish from Lake Tanganyika, and one of the few Synodontis bred regularly in aquariums. Keep a group of at least 5 in 81 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A small, spotted, peaceful catfish from Lake Tanganyika, and one of the few Synodontis bred regularly in aquariums. It needs hard, alkaline water and a group, and it is ideal with Tanganyikan cichlids.
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 320–410 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–125 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 81 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 90 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- 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
Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings. 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
- Mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Mouthbrooding
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
A mouthbrooder. The female usually holds the eggs and young fry in her mouth for a few weeks, and releases free-swimming young. Give her cover, and avoid stressing her during this time.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Africa, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia
- Natural habitat
- Lake
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Synodontis
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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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
Sun Catfish
Horabagrus brachysoma
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 648 litres
- Temperature
- 23–25 °C