Pyjama synodontis
Synodontis flavitaeniatus
Also known as Orangestriped squeaker, Orange-striped catfish, Pyjama catfish, Orange striped squeaker cat
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.7
- Adult size
- 7.1 in
- 18 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Native to the Congo River basin in Central Africa.
Overview
The pyjama syno is one of the more peaceful and attractive squeakers, and it does best kept in a group of five or more where its natural foraging behaviour shows. It suits a medium to large community of bigger tetras, barbs, and calm West African cichlids, and spends the day tucked in cover. Offer sinking catfish pellets and wafers as a staple, with frozen foods and some vegetable matter. A tank around 200 liters with sand, wood, and shade keeps a group happy.
In the wild
The pyjama synodontis lives in the lower and central Congo basin, foraging over the bottom in warm, gently flowing, tannin-stained water. It shelters among wood and roots by day and comes out at dusk. Give it a soft sandy bed, driftwood, and shaded caves, with plenty of open floor space, at 24 to 27 degrees C and a pH of 6.5 to 7.7.
Good to know
This squeaker grows to around 18 cm and is marked with striking cream-yellow and dark brown horizontal bands, the pattern that earns it the pyjama name. It carries the family's bony head plates and locking spines. Breeding in aquariums is not documented.
Did you know
The bold cream and brown stripes that give it the pyjama name are brightest on well-fed adults kept over dark substrate.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Pyjama 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.
Spotted silver dollar
Metynnis lippincottianus
Freshwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Celebes halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Burmese border loach
Botia histrionica
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Twospot rasbora
Rasbora elegans
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Greater scissortail
Rasbora caudimaculata
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Parnahyba whiptail
Loricaria parnahybae
Freshwater9.8 in (25 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Pyjama synodontis need?
A Pyjama synodontis needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Pyjama synodontis need?
A Pyjama synodontis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.7.
How big does a Pyjama synodontis get?
An adult Pyjama synodontis reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
Related species
9.8 in (25 cm)50 gal (190 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Cuckoo squeaker
Synodontis multipunctatus
9.8 in (25 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Even-Spotted squeaker
Synodontis petricola
4.7 in (12 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)
7.5 in (19 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Lake Malawi syno
Synodontis njassae
7.5 in (19 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bugeye squeaker
Synodontis contractus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Dwarf petricola
Synodontis lucipinnis
3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Upside-down catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)