Scissortail Synodontis (Synodontis soloni)

Scissortail Synodontis Synodontis soloni
Name	Scissortail Synodontis
Name Lat.	Synodontis soloni
Family	Upside-down Catfishes
Family lat.	Mochokidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Congo
Habitat	Rivers, lakes
Diet	Omnivore
pH	6.0-7.5
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	None reported
Life Span	8-12 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	13-15 cm
Temperature	22-26 °C
Hardness	3-15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	5"-6"
Temperature	72-79 °F
Hardness	53-267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Scissor-tailed Featherbeard Catfish is the lower Congo inlet with the Malebo Pool (formerly Stanley Pool) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There they live in slow-flowing stream sections of rivers as well as in floodplains and lakes, where they usually hide under roots or in stone 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 problem-free in feeding. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality dry food for catfish (granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mysis, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as algae leaves, algae wafers, pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with high vegetable content.

Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

These peaceful fish 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 well socialized with other, not too small fish, such as cichlids, barbs or catfish.

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 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 as fine-meshed nets as possible so that the hard rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins do not get 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: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.

Source: BMEL (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