{"product_id":"cuckoo-catfish-synodontis-petricola","title":"Cuckoo Catfish | Synodontis petricola","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Cuckoo Catfish, or Dwarf Lake Synodontis, is a handsome white-spotted catfish from Lake Tanganyika — hardy, active and wonderfully sociable. It stays a manageable 11–13 cm and is famous for its \"cuckoo\" trick: it sneaks its eggs into the nests of mouthbrooding cichlids, who then raise the catfish fry as their own. A brilliant, characterful bottom-dweller for a Rift Lake or hard-water community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSynodontis petricola is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives among rocky shorelines and rubble in hard, very alkaline, oxygen-rich water. It forages over and between the rocks in loose groups. A biotope of piled rock caves with open sandy swimming areas suits it perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA neat, compact Synodontis with a pale to grey-brown body evenly covered in dark spots, contrasting black-and-white fins with elegant white leading edges, and long, mobile barbels. It is often confused with the similar Synodontis lucipinnis. Well-fed adults are stocky and glossy, and the fin markings stay crisp throughout life.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and active, and best kept in a group of five or more, where it is confident and constantly on the move. It mixes beautifully with Tanganyikan and Malawian cichlids and other hard-water fish. It is not aggressive, though it will happily eat eggs and anything small enough to swallow, so avoid tiny tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore and enthusiastic scavenger. Feed sinking pellets and wafers as the staple, plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, and the occasional vegetable matter. It feeds readily and helps keep the substrate clean, but should not be left to rely on leftovers alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 90 L for a small group, with 200 L or larger better for a full shoal in a cichlid community. Keep temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 7.5–9.0 and hard water. Provide rockwork caves, a soft sandy substrate to protect the barbels, good filtration and steady water quality. It is completely plant safe, though plants can be hard to keep in Rift Lake chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne of the more readily bred Synodontis. In the wild it is a brood parasite of mouthbrooding cichlids, but in aquaria it will also spawn in groups over rocks, scattering eggs that are best moved to a separate rearing tank. Cool, well-fed conditions and a mature group give the best chance of success.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSynodontis petricola\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuckoo Catfish (Dwarf Lake Synodontis)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 11–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active, sociable)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRift Lake and hard-water community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include Tanganyikan and Malawian cichlids, other Synodontis, rainbowfish and robust hard-water community fish too large to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small fish and shrimp that may be eaten, and with soft, acidic-water species whose needs conflict with Rift Lake chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232799277347,"sku":"AA3110-S","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232799310115,"sku":"AA3110","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232799342883,"sku":"AA3110-L","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cuckoo-catfish-synodontis-pe-43885215744291.webp?v=1790306089","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cuckoo-catfish-synodontis-petricola","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}