Dwarf petricola

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  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)

• 

  Even-Spotted squeaker

  Synodontis petricola

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

  Synodontis flavitaeniatus

  7.1 in (18 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Cuckoo squeaker

  Synodontis multipunctatus

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

• 

  Vermiculated squeaker

  Synodontis schoutedeni

  5.9 in (15 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)