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
- 21 gal
- 80 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 synodontis is one of the more peaceful and attractive squeakers, and it belongs in a group in a community tank. It suits a keeper past the beginner stage.
Did you know
On the pyjama synodontis, the stripes are brightest in well-fed adults kept over a dark substrate.
Caring for the pyjama synodontis
Give a group of pyjama synodontis a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). A soft sandy bed, driftwood and shaded caves suit them, with plenty of open floor space.
Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 7.7. Offer sinking catfish pellets and wafers as a staple, with frozen foods and some vegetable matter.
Keep five or more, since their natural foraging behavior shows best in a group. They are peaceful and suit a medium to large community. Bigger tetras, barbs and calm West African cichlids make good tank mates. Breeding in aquariums is not documented.
Good to know
The pyjama synodontis is marked with cream-yellow and dark brown horizontal bands, which give it its common name. It carries the bony head plates and locking spines of the family Mochokidae. It is also sold as the orange-striped squeaker or the pyjama catfish.
In the wild
The pyjama synodontis lives in the lower and central Congo basin. It forages over the bottom in warm, gently flowing, tannin-stained water. It shelters among wood and roots by day and comes out at dusk.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The 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.
Peppered cory
Hoplisoma paleatum
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Neon rainbowfish
Melanotaenia praecox
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Boeseman's rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 29 gal (108 L)81–86°F (27–30°C)
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a pyjama synodontis need?
A pyjama synodontis needs at least 21 gal (80 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.
What does a pyjama synodontis eat?
A pyjama synodontis eats sinking catfish pellets and wafers as a staple. Add frozen foods and some vegetable matter.
How big does a pyjama synodontis get?
An adult pyjama synodontis reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
Related species
7.1 in (18 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Cuckoo squeaker
Synodontis multipunctatus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)21 gal (80 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Even-Spotted squeaker
Synodontis petricola
4.7 in (12 cm) · 21 gal (80 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)