Page 129 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CATFISH/SYNODONTIDS 127

Synodontis notatus Synodontis eupterus
AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD
Notatus Featherfin Synodontis
Synodontis catfish as a group are sometimes
ORIGINS West Africa, occurring in parts of Senegal, ORIGINS Africa, occurring in stretches of the White Nile, described as upside-down catfish, because of
Gambia, Volta, Chad, and Niger. the Chad basin, and in parts of Niger. the way in which they occasionally swim. This
SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). behavior is more common in some species
DIET Prefers live foods, but will take tablets. DIET Prefers live foods, but will take tablets. than others, including the Upside-Down
WATER Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard Synodontis (S. nigriventris) seen below. By
(50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–8.0). (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5). swimming upside down, the fish can reach
TEMPERAMENT Lively but nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Placid. algae growing in areas that would otherwise
be out of reach. When inverted like this, their
Unfortunately, sexing the Notatus is visually mottled underparts help to conceal their
impossible. In common with other synodontids, presence from any predators above. Young
it is very reluctant to spawn in aquarium synodontids start to swim in this way when
surroundings, and very little has been recorded they are approximately two months old.
about its breeding behavior. From what is known,
the eggs take up to a week to hatch. The young
can be reared on brine shrimp after about
four days, when they are free-swimming.

Patterning is variable Young Featherfin Synodontis have a pattern of
dark-brown spots on a light-brown background.
As the fish mature, the spots darken and the body
usually takes on a bluish hue, but it can sometimes
appear more gray. The name Featherfin derives
from the featherlike extension on the dorsal fin.
These active catfish need a fine substrate in
which they can dig and clear areas in the tank
where they can swim.

Synodontis decorus
Clown Synodontis

ORIGINS Africa, reported from localities in Zaire
and Cameroon.
SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
DIET Live foods and prepared diets.
WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft to hard
(50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Placid.
Bold, dark spots and blotches on a pinkish-white
body, together with a much finer pattern of
speckling on the head, characterize the Clown
Synodontis. A spectacular long, narrow extension
develops at the top of the dorsal fin in adult fish.
These catfish should be caught with great care,
because the spines on their pectoral fins can easily
become enmeshed in a net. Their large size means
that they often stir up sediment when digging in
the aquarium. This tends to cover fine-leaved
plants and impede their growth. It is therefore
a good idea either to choose plastic plants, which
will not be affected by the digging habits of these
catfish, or to restrict the choice to tough, broad-
leaved plants. Clown Synodontis do not swim
upside down on a regular basis but may
occasionally be observed feeding at the surface in
this fashion, taking freeze-dried or fresh live foods,
such as mosquito larvae.

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