Featherfin squeaker
Encyclopedia
The featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) or Featherfin Synodontis is a species of Synodontis
catfish
. The fish's habitat is located in Chad
, Niger
. Also known simply as featherfin catfish. Featherfin squeakers are called such due to their ability to make noises to communicate with one another and also for their high feather-like fin which is valued by many hobbyists. Wild specimens are usually around 6–8 inches (150–200 mm). These fish are usually kept singly in aquaria
due to their territorial and aggressive nature when they reach maturity.
General info
Featherfin squeakers are very hardy and easy to care for, but still not recommended for beginners due to the problems they might cause, as they are territorial. If housing these with other bottom dwellers, each should have a cave for itself and must be located as far away from each other as possible. As with any fish, the tank water should always be clean and at a balanced pH (7-8.5), kH of 2–15 and a warm water temperature, around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 °F). The absolute minimum tank size should be 30 gallons (110 L), densely planted with plants along with some large enough caves for the synodontis to hide in. Sometimes, like its cousin the Upside Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris), it may turn upside down in order to get food. This will usually only happen when it is resting.
Diet
These are omnivorous and should be given a good quality flake food as the staple, or sinking catfish pellets. An occasional feeding of spirulina flakes or algae wafers would ensure the vegetable part of their diet. Once weekly feeding of bloodworms, tubifex
, brine shrimp
and other meaty foods will complete the perfect diet. They should be fed just before the lights are turned off, because, like most catfish, it is nocturnal.
Tankmates
These bottom dwelling Synodontis catfish should have their own territories. Reports have been made that it is kept successfully with corydoras catfish without any problems. Due to its rather bold and aggressive nature, it is said to be a perfect bottom dweller for rift lake cichlid aquariums.
Breeding
It has never been bred naturally in captivity, so there is a likelihood that pet shop specimens were bred from hormone injected parents, which is not readily available or recommended for an in-experienced hobbyist to accomplish.
Synodontis
Synodontis is the largest genus of catfishes of the family Mochokidae. Synodontis are also known as squeakers, due to their ability to make stridulatory sounds through their pectoral fin spines when handled or disturbed. These catfish are small- to medium-sized fish., with many species exhibiting...
catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
. The fish's habitat is located in Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
. Also known simply as featherfin catfish. Featherfin squeakers are called such due to their ability to make noises to communicate with one another and also for their high feather-like fin which is valued by many hobbyists. Wild specimens are usually around 6–8 inches (150–200 mm). These fish are usually kept singly in aquaria
Aquaria
Aquaria may refer to:*Aquarium, in the plural*Aquaria , a computer game*Aquaria , a Brazilian metal band*Aquaria, one of the Twelve Colonies in Battlestar Galactica...
due to their territorial and aggressive nature when they reach maturity.
In the aquarium
General info
Featherfin squeakers are very hardy and easy to care for, but still not recommended for beginners due to the problems they might cause, as they are territorial. If housing these with other bottom dwellers, each should have a cave for itself and must be located as far away from each other as possible. As with any fish, the tank water should always be clean and at a balanced pH (7-8.5), kH of 2–15 and a warm water temperature, around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 °F). The absolute minimum tank size should be 30 gallons (110 L), densely planted with plants along with some large enough caves for the synodontis to hide in. Sometimes, like its cousin the Upside Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris), it may turn upside down in order to get food. This will usually only happen when it is resting.
Diet
These are omnivorous and should be given a good quality flake food as the staple, or sinking catfish pellets. An occasional feeding of spirulina flakes or algae wafers would ensure the vegetable part of their diet. Once weekly feeding of bloodworms, tubifex
Tubifex
Tubifex is a cosmopolitan genus of tubificid Annelids that inhabit the sediments of lakes, rivers and occasionally sewer lines. There are over ten known species of Tubifex, but the number is not certain, as the species are not easily distinguishable from each other.-Food and feeding:Tubifex worms...
, brine shrimp
Brine shrimp
Artemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans known as brine shrimp. Artemia, the only genus in the family Artemiidae, has changed little externally since the Triassic period...
and other meaty foods will complete the perfect diet. They should be fed just before the lights are turned off, because, like most catfish, it is nocturnal.
Tankmates
These bottom dwelling Synodontis catfish should have their own territories. Reports have been made that it is kept successfully with corydoras catfish without any problems. Due to its rather bold and aggressive nature, it is said to be a perfect bottom dweller for rift lake cichlid aquariums.
Breeding
It has never been bred naturally in captivity, so there is a likelihood that pet shop specimens were bred from hormone injected parents, which is not readily available or recommended for an in-experienced hobbyist to accomplish.
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