Cuckoo Catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus)

Cuckoo Catfish Synodontis multipunctatus
Name	Cuckoo Catfish
Name Lat.	Synodontis multipunctatus
Family	Upside-down Catfishes
Family lat.	Mochokidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Rocky intermediate zone
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Brood parasite
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	10-15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	15 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	160 l
US Units
Size	5.9"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	40 gal

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal and crepuscular multipoint featherbeard catfishes are found exclusively (endemically) in the southern part of Lake Tanganyika in Zambia. They live in the scree zone with sandy bottoms and mostly stay in stone caves during the day.

Maintenance

They need an aquarium with a robust planting, with many hiding places such as stone caves (e.g. perforated rock) and roots. A sandy dark substrate and subdued light (floating plants) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They are easy to feed and will accept any type of live or frozen food, such as daphnia, cyclops, mysis, artemia and black mosquito larvae, as well as dry catfish food (granules, flake and tablet food). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as crushed peas, cucumber slices, mashed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp)

Only feed as much as will be eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

These peaceful and sociable fish can be socialized well with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids. At least 4, but preferably more multipoint featherbeard catfish should be kept together

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The males are more slender than the females. With some experience, the sexes can be determined by the shape of the genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and round in the female.

Reproduction and breeding

Multipoint featherbeard catfishes are the only known species of fish that are brood parasites (brood parasites). They lay their eggs with those of mouthbrooding cichlids, which hatch them. The larvae of the multipoint featherbeard catfish develop more rapidly and eat the larvae of the host.

Fry must be fed special rearing food several times a day. Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, where the spawn is easy prey.

Important

During the day they usually stay under roots, in caves or under stones, often with their belly up.

When catching them, use as fine-meshed nets as possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins from getting caught, which can cause painful stinging injuries when touched.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Anton Lamboj

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF