Data sheet cuckoo feather beard catfish
German name:
Cuckoo feather beard catfish
Scientific name:
Synodontis petricola
Origin:
Lake Tanganyika
Size:
Body length max. 11 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 120 cm width
Contents:
from 110 liters (from 5 animals 250 liters)
water values
Temperature:
22°- 26° C
pH:
7 – 8
GH:
5° – 15° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area / ground level
Lining:
Frozen or live food, flake food
Behave:
very socially acceptable, never keep individually, keep at least 5 animals together.
Number:
Schooling fish, at least 5 animals
Difficulty level:
Beginner Mirko Rosenau – stock.adobe.com
Origin
The cuckoo feather beard catfish, also known as the rock feather beard catfish, has a very attractive appearance and only reaches a relatively small size of 11 cm. He prefers to be on the ground. It is active during the day and at dusk. In the wild, the small catfish lives in the African Lake Tanganyika, but due to abduction it sometimes also occurs in Lakes Malawi and Lake Victoria.
Since the animals are very flexible when it comes to water values, it is usually no problem to keep them in Malawi basins. At the beginning, the little cuckoo catfish first probes the situation in the tank and behaves rather shyly. But once he has settled in, he develops into an active little aquarium dweller and can be observed digging around in the whole tank.
food
The catfish are not very choosy when it comes to food, as greedy, omnivorous ornamental fish all common types of food (frozen, live, flake, pellet food) are accepted. It is essential to provide special catfish food so that the need for plant-based food is covered.
attitude
The water for Synodontis petricola should be soft to medium hard with a GH of 5-15. The animals feel most comfortable at a temperature of 22-26° Celsius and a pH of 7-8.
For the species-appropriate keeping of five specimens of the cuckoo feathered catfish, the aquarium should not be less than 120 cm in edge length. Sand or very fine gravel is recommended as soil. Hiding places in the tank are important, for example in the form of catfish tubes. Natural materials such as coconuts, flower pots or structures made of stone or wood are also suitable if they are glued and fixed to prevent them from collapsing.
The tank should have suitable planting with hiding places and a root as a decoration not only offers protection but also increases the well-being of the animals, because it also serves the catfish as a supplier of vital plant fibres.
gender differences
The difference between a female or male specimen is only possible by comparing the genital papilla. However, if you keep at least five specimens, chances are you have a mixed group.
breed
The breeding of the beautiful cuckoo feather beard catfish is basically possible in the aquarium. For this purpose, the female animals should be fed heavily with live food, which increases the willingness to spawn.
socialization
Harmless scuffles sometimes occur between the Synodontis petricola. However, injuries do not occur. Otherwise, the calm and peaceful catfish are good companion fish for all animals from similar water conditions, i.e. in a Lake Malawi or Lake Tanganyika basin. Keeping the cuckoo feather beard catfish is therefore quite uncomplicated and they are real beginner fish.