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Poll's synodontis

Synodontis polli

Also known as Poll's squeaker, Poll's catfish

FreshwaterFish

Poll's synodontis (Synodontis polli)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.0–9.0
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

Overview

Poll's synodontis is a good-looking, mostly peaceful Tanganyikan catfish for a hard-water rift lake community. It is a fair step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

Poll's synodontis is one of several Tanganyikan squeakers that look closely alike. It differs from the smaller petricola group mainly in size and fin detail.

Caring for the Poll's synodontis

Give a Poll's synodontis a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). Lay a fine sandy bed and pile rockwork into caves, with open sand between them.

It needs hard water and a high pH of 8.0 to 9.0, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C). Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter.

It is mostly peaceful and mixes well with cichlids and other rock dwellers. It does well in a small group, though it can be a little territorial with other bottom catfish as it settles.

There is no home breeding record for Poll's synodontis. In the lake, wild fish are nest parasites of mouthbrooding cichlids. They slip their eggs among the cichlids' spawns, and the host raises the young alongside its own.

Good to know

Poll's synodontis has the bony head shield and locking spines of the family Mochokidae, and the family's habit of feeding upside down. It is also sold as Poll's squeaker or Poll's catfish.

In the wild

Poll's synodontis is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It lives along rocky littoral coasts down to around 20 meters, in hard, alkaline and very stable water. It forages over rock and sand for invertebrates and small prey.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Poll's synodontis is a mostly 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Poll's synodontis need?

A Poll's synodontis needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Poll's synodontis need?

A Poll's synodontis is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.0–9.0.

What does a Poll's synodontis eat?

A Poll's synodontis eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter.

How big does a Poll's synodontis get?

An adult Poll's synodontis reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

How does a Poll's synodontis breed?

Poll's synodontis has no home breeding record. In Lake Tanganyika, it lays its eggs among the spawns of mouthbrooding cichlids, which raise the young with their own.

Related species