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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
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
50 gal
190 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

Overview

Poll's syno is a good-looking, mostly peaceful Tanganyikan catfish that suits a hard-water rift lake community with cichlids and other rock dwellers. It does well in a small group and can be a little territorial with other bottom catfish as it settles. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and some vegetable matter. Give it sand, rock caves, and a tank of at least 190 liters with high pH.

In the wild

Poll's synodontis is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, living along rocky littoral coasts down to around 20 meters in hard, alkaline, very stable water. It forages over rock and sand for invertebrates and small prey. Give it a fine sandy bed, piled rockwork with caves, and open sand, keeping the pH high at 8.0 to 9.0 and 22 to 26 degrees C.

Good to know

Synodontis polli reaches about 18 cm and is one of several closely similar Tanganyikan squeakers, differing from the smaller petricola group mainly in size and fin detail. It shows the family's bony head shield, locking spines, and habit of feeding upside down. There is no home breeding record, though wild fish are known nest parasites of mouthbrooding cichlids.

Did you know

In the lake, Tanganyikan squeakers like this one slip their eggs in among the spawns of mouthbrooding cichlids, letting the host raise their young alongside its own.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

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 50 gal (190 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.

How big does a Poll's synodontis get?

An adult Poll's synodontis reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

Related species