Dwarf petricola
Synodontis lucipinnis
Also known as Dwarf petricola squeaker, False cuckoo catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.5–9.0
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 114 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Origin
- Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Overview
The dwarf petricola is a hardy, peaceful catfish that stays small and does well in groups of three or more, which brings out natural activity. It is a great first Synodontis, tolerant of less than perfect water and happy in a Tanganyikan community with shell dwellers and small rock cichlids. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and the odd algae wafer. A tank around 114 liters with sand and rockwork keeps a small group content.
In the wild
This little squeaker lives among the rocky, rubble-strewn shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, where the water is hard, alkaline, and very stable. Give it a fine sandy bed to protect its barbels, plenty of piled rock forming caves and crevices, and open sand between the rock piles. Keep the pH high, from 7.5 to 9.0, at 23 to 27 degrees C. Good filtration and steady oxygen suit it.
Good to know
Long sold under the name Synodontis petricola, the dwarf form was recognised as a separate species, Synodontis lucipinnis, and stays smaller at around 10 cm. It carries the family's bony head shield and locking fin spines and can right itself to feed upside down. It is one of the few Synodontis bred in the hobby in real numbers.
Did you know
For years hobbyists thought the small tank-bred squeakers were just young Synodontis petricola, but they are a full separate species that simply never grows large.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Dwarf petricola 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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Dwarf petricola need?
A Dwarf petricola needs at least 30 gal (114 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Dwarf petricola need?
A Dwarf petricola is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–9.0.
How big does a Dwarf petricola get?
An adult Dwarf petricola reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Related species
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 (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Upside-down catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 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)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Robertsi squeaker
Synodontis robertsi
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Orientalis squeaker
Synodontis orientalis
4.3 in (11 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Pyjama synodontis
Synodontis flavitaeniatus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)