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Dwarf synodontis

Microsynodontis batesii

Also known as Bates's dwarf squeaker

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf synodontis (Microsynodontis batesii)

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
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Lower Guinea rivers, Cameroon and Gabon

Overview

The dwarf synodontis is a small squeaker for the bottom of a gentle community tank. Unlike its larger cousins, it is a sociable fish. It is a fair pick for a keeper past the beginner stage.

Did you know

The dwarf synodontis belongs to Microsynodontis, an entire genus of miniature squeakers, and it is the best known of them. It is a faithful copy of a full-grown Synodontis, shrunk into a body shorter than a finger.

Caring for the dwarf synodontis

Give a dwarf synodontis at least 29 gal (110 L), which suits a small group. Recreate its forest creek with a soft sand floor, a layer of leaf litter, bogwood and dim lighting. It is shy, so give it plenty of cover.

Keep the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Hold the temperature at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with gentle flow. It snuffles through the leaf litter on the bottom for small foods. Offer fine sinking foods, small frozen items and crushed wafers after the lights dim.

The dwarf synodontis is sociable and can live alone or in a small group of five or six. It is fully peaceful and safe in a community. Pair it with small, gentle tank mates that will not outcompete it at feeding time. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Good to know

The dwarf synodontis is a member of the family Mochokidae. Small as it is, it carries three pairs of barbels and a bony head cap, like a large squeaker. George Albert Boulenger described it in 1903 and named it for the collector George Latimer Bates.

In the wild

The dwarf synodontis lives in shaded blackwater forest creeks of the Lower Guinea region, in Cameroon and Gabon. The creek beds are sand strewn with fallen leaves.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The dwarf synodontis is a 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 dwarf synodontis need?

A dwarf synodontis needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf synodontis need?

A dwarf synodontis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a dwarf synodontis eat?

A dwarf synodontis eats fine sinking foods, small frozen items and crushed wafers. Offer them after the lights dim, when it snuffles through the leaf litter for food.

How big does a dwarf synodontis get?

An adult dwarf synodontis reaches about 3.3 in (8.5 cm).

Related species