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Common syno

Synodontis nigrita

Also known as false upside-down catfish, Lace Cat

FreshwaterFish

Common syno (Synodontis nigrita)

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–82°F
21–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Africa

Overview

The common syno is a hardy, active catfish for the bottom of a community tank. It is easy to keep and does most of its foraging at night.

Did you know

The common syno is the fish most often sold as the upside-down catfish, but the true one is Synodontis nigriventris. It rests belly-up far less often and grows about twice as large, so the mislabeling usually shows once it matures.

Caring for the common syno

Give a common syno at least 21 gal (80 L). A soft sand floor protects its long barbels, and bogwood and plenty of rocky caves give it shade by day. At night it works the bottom and lower water, rasping at food and browsing surfaces.

It handles a wide temperature band, anywhere from 70 to 82°F (21 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Keep the water well oxygenated with a moderate current, and change it regularly to control waste. Feed it well and vary the diet with sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter such as shelled peas.

Common synos are sociable and can live alone or in a small group, given space. They are mostly peaceful and safe in a community of robust fish such as larger tetras, barbs, West African cichlids or gouramis. Avoid tiny tank mates they could bully or startle. Breeding in aquariums is not documented.

Good to know

The common syno belongs to Mochokidae, the African squeaker catfishes. Squeakers are named for the creaking sound they make by locking and grinding their pectoral spines. Its body carries bony head plates and strong dorsal and pectoral spines, and it browses with teeth set in the lower jaw.

In the wild

The common syno is widely distributed across Africa. It lives in quiet backwaters, pools and slow stretches of rivers in the Nile, Niger and Volta systems and beyond.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The common syno is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a common syno need?

A common syno needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a common syno need?

A common syno is comfortable at 70–82°F (21–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a common syno eat?

A common syno eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter such as shelled peas. Feed it well and keep the diet varied.

How big does a common syno get?

An adult common syno reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species