Ocellated Synodontis (Synodontis ocellifer)

Ocellated Synodontis Synodontis ocellifer
Name	Ocellated Synodontis
Name Lat.	Synodontis ocellifer
Family	Upside-down Catfishes
Family lat.	Mochokidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Africa
Habitat	Rivers, lakes
Diet	Omnivore
pH	6.0-8.0
Behavior	Nocturnal, territorial
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	None reported
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	20 cm
Temperature	23-28 °C
Hardness	5-25 °dH
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	7.9"
Temperature	73-82 °F
Hardness	89-445 ppm
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular and nocturnal eyespotted featherback catfishes are widespread in the river systems of West Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria and Chad. There they live in slow-flowing rivers and lakes, where they usually spend the day hidden under roots or in stone caves.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a good border planting with many hiding places between stone structures (e.g. perforated rock) and roots as well as offer sufficient swimming space. A dark sand substrate, shaded light (floating plants) and a weak current 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 sinking dry catfish food (granules, pellets, tablets). 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)

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as will be eaten in a few minutes.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should be kept in a group of at least 4 animals. In tanks that are too small, intraspecific incompatibilities can occur with adult animals. A group should only be kept in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other, not too small fish, like cichlids, barbs or catfishes, but often behave incompatible against other Synodontis species.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature 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

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

In adults, the round dark spots on the sides of the body become rings.

They usually stay in caves or under roots during the day, often hiding with their belly up. In shaded aquariums, however, they are also active during the day and come out of hiding especially for feeding.

When catching them, use nets with as fine a mesh as possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins from becoming entangled, 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. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF