Lake Malawi syno
Synodontis njassae
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 7.5 in
- 19 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The Lake Malawi syno is an attractive rift-lake catfish that is often seen in loose groups near rocky shores, so keep it singly or in a small group with space for each fish. It is mostly peaceful but can be territorial, and it pairs naturally with mbuna and peacock cichlids that share its hard water. It forages over the bottom mainly at night, taking sinking pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter without fuss. Provide rock piles with caves and a sandy floor, and while it will fit in around 150 liters, give it more room in a busy Malawi community.
In the wild
Synodontis njassae is the only squeaker native to Lake Malawi, a large, deep rift lake with hard, alkaline, and remarkably stable water. Reproduce those conditions with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and a temperature between 23 and 28 degrees C. Build a rocky biotope of stacked stone forming caves and shaded crevices over sand, leaving open water for swimming. Strong filtration, good oxygenation, and regular water changes keep the lake environment clean and consistent.
Good to know
A member of Mochokidae, Synodontis njassae grows to around 19 centimeters and is the single Synodontis species found in Lake Malawi. It is an upside-down-capable catfish with the family's bony head plates and lockable pectoral spines that it grinds to make its squeaking calls. It feeds as an omnivore over rock and sand. Breeding is not documented in home aquariums.
Did you know
Lake Malawi is home to hundreds of cichlid species but just one squeaker catfish, Synodontis njassae, which evolved there and lives nowhere else in the world.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Lake Malawi 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.
Sunshine peacock cichlid
Aulonocara baenschi
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 63 gal (240 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)- Size
- 4.3 in (11 cm)
- Tank
- 63 gal (240 L)
- Water
- 77–84°F (25–29°C)
Clown labidochromis
Labidochromis chisumulae
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)- Size
- 3.1 in (8 cm)
- Tank
- 42 gal (160 L)
- Water
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Lake Malawi syno need?
A Lake Malawi syno needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Lake Malawi syno need?
A Lake Malawi syno is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big does a Lake Malawi syno get?
An adult Lake Malawi syno reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).
Related species
7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bigeye squeaker
Synodontis alberti
7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)55 gal (210 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Common syno
Synodontis nigrita
7.9 in (20 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Congicus squeaker
Synodontis congicus
7.9 in (20 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)45 gal (170 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Featherfin squeaker
Synodontis eupterus
7.9 in (20 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Ocellated squeaker
Synodontis ocellifer
7.9 in (20 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Poll's synodontis
Synodontis polli
7.1 in (18 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)