All fish / Mochokidae

Pygmy Leopard Catfish

Synodontis petricola

Also known as even-spotted squeaker, dwarf lake syno, false cuckoo syno, petricola catfish, dwarf petricola, pygmy leopard synodontis, petricola syno, synodontis petricola, シノドンティス・ペトリコラ, 石生歧须鮠, 豹纹倒吊鼠

A small upside-down catfish from Lake Tanganyika with a pale tan body covered in evenly sized black spots, and white edges to its black-banded fins. It stays fairly small, is hardy in hard alkaline water, and is a popular, active bottom dweller for Tanganyikan and Malawi cichlid tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.5 to 9

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, bloodworm, brine shrimp and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia)

Breeding

It scatters eggs and has been bred in captivity, though spawning in home aquariums is uncommon. Most fish sold are farm bred, sometimes with hormone induction.

Good to know

Often confused with the cuckoo catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus), which has larger, fewer spots and grows bigger. Provide caves and rockwork, as it is nocturnal and can squabble with its own kind when shelter is scarce.