Data sheet pinnate catfish
German name:
pinnate catfish
Scientific name:
synodontis
Origin:
Africa (Nile)
Size:
Body length 10cm – 40cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length at least 120 cm width
Contents:
from 200 liters
water values
Temperature:
23°-28° C
pH:
6 – 8
GH:
2° – 25° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area
Lining:
Omnivores/carnivores, catfish, live food (crustaceans, insect larvae), frozen food, granules, flake food
Behave:
Fast hunter, sociable, nocturnal, afraid of light, aggressive towards conspecifics, territorial
Number:
Schooling fish, at least 6 – 8 animals
Difficulty level:
Advanced Haps, Synodontis grandiops-MW-003b, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keeping feathered catfish
Many feathered catfish, Synodontis, are only suitable for very large aquariums. In a large aquarium, six to eight hatchlings should be reared together in a group. Otherwise, fierce brawls often ensue as they stake out their territories.
In nature, Synodontis species are at least very sociable. They live in large flocks in slow-moving waters and lagoons. They are nocturnal. However, nocturnal is the wrong word for most catfish.
Most catfish are afraid of light. If there are a few shady spots in the aquarium, for example under plants, many catfish and most feathered catfish are also quite lively during the day.
Synodontis petricola Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Nerezza
Synodontis are normally aggressive against conspecifics and sometimes also against other Synadontis species. In the tanks at pet shops, the desire to form their own territory is reduced due to the high stocking density and the mostly inadequate equipment. Many animals can therefore be accommodated in sales tanks.
If the animals are then placed in an aquarium that is set up in such a way that the animals feel comfortable, they have a reason to create a territory. They will become aggressive towards each other even if they were together in the merchant pool.
Synadontis can adapt very flexibly to the water hardness and the pH value.
Feather catfish are omnivores. They mainly eat insect larvae and crustaceans. Because they are good and fast hunters, they can also eat fish from a certain size. They must therefore be kept with fish that cannot inadvertently swallow them. For example, they can be socialized with correspondingly large antennae catfish.
They like to be in burrows, so you’ll see them mainly at dusk or when they’re feeding.
Individual portraits of pinnate catfish:
Buy feathered catfish
Feather catfish are readily available in local aquarium shops. A few providers also offer online purchases with professional shipping.
Here we recommend Garnelio.