Sanaga Basin Synodontis (Synodontis rebeli)
| Sanaga Basin Synodontis Synodontis rebeli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sanaga Basin Synodontis |
| Name Lat. | Synodontis rebeli |
| Family | Upside-down Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Mochokidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25 cm |
| Temperature | 22-25 °C |
| Hardness | 5-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 350 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 9.8" |
| Temperature | 72-77 °F |
| Hardness | 89-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 90 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The crepuscular and nocturnal Cameroon Featherbeard Catfish are found exclusively (endemically) in the Sanaga River system in Cameroon. There they live in slow-flowing rivers and lakes, where they usually hide under roots or in caves during the day.
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 pairs or in a small group. 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 sometimes 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
They can easily be confused with the high fin pinniped catfish (Synodontis velifer), but they have slightly larger spots on their bodies and a dorsal fin that is more than twice as high.
They usually keep in caves or under roots during the day, often hiding with their belly up. However, in shaded aquariums 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: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF