Dwarf synodontis

Microsynodontis batesii

Also known as Bates's dwarf squeaker

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 3.3 in (8.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Lower Guinea rivers, Cameroon and Gabon
Family: Mochokidae

Overview

Unlike its larger cousins this dwarf squeaker is a sociable fish, so keep it in a small group of five or six rather than alone. It is fully peaceful and safe in a community, spending its time snuffling through leaf litter on the bottom for small foods. Because it is shy and only reaches about 8.5 centimeters, give it plenty of cover and pair it with small, gentle tankmates that will not outcompete it at feeding time. Offer fine sinking foods, small frozen items, and crushed wafers after the lights dim. A tank of around 110 liters suits a group.

In the wild

It lives in shaded blackwater forest creeks of the Lower Guinea region in Cameroon and Gabon, over sand strewn with fallen leaves. Recreate that with a soft sand floor, a layer of leaf litter, bogwood, and dim lighting, with gentle flow. Keep the water warm, from 23 to 27 C, and soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Good to know

This is a dwarf member of the family Mochokidae in the genus Microsynodontis, the pocket sized squeakers. It reaches only about 8.5 centimeters yet carries the full equipment of a large squeaker, three pairs of barbels and a bony head cap. It was described by George Albert Boulenger in 1903 and named for the collector George Latimer Bates. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Did you know

Microsynodontis is an entire genus of miniature squeakers. This species is the best known of them, a faithful copy of a full grown Synodontis shrunk into a body shorter than a finger.