Pyjama synodontis

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  Cuckoo squeaker

  Synodontis multipunctatus

  9.8 in (25 cm)50 gal (190 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Even-Spotted squeaker

  Synodontis petricola

  4.7 in (12 cm)45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Lake Malawi syno

  Synodontis njassae

  7.5 in (19 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Upside-down catfish

  Synodontis nigriventris

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Bugeye squeaker

  Synodontis contractus

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
• Dwarf petricola

  Synodontis lucipinnis

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)