Synodontis Petricola

Synodontis Petricola

Synodontis petricola

Also known as: Pygmy Synodontis, Cuckoo Catfish

💧 Freshwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟢 Easy 🍽️ Omnivore Schooling (3+)

Small synodontis from Lake Tanganyika with striking black spots on a white body. One of the best catfish for African cichlid tanks.

Tank Size

20 gal
minimum (30+ preferred)

Temperature

75–82°F
24–28°C

pH Range

7.5–8.8
water acidity

Max Size

4"
10.2 cm

Lifespan

8–10 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Bottom
preferred zone

Care Notes

Prefers hard, alkaline water matching Lake Tanganyika conditions. Keep in small groups for best behavior.

Feeding

Sinking pellets, frozen foods, and algae wafers.

Compatible Tank Mates

Bloodfin Tetra 2" Red Eye Tetra 2.5" Pearl Danio 2.5" Gold Pristella Tetra 1.8" Dwarf Petricola Catfish 3" Endler's Livebearer 1.5" Platy 2.5" Swordtail 4" Rosy Barb 4" Balloon Molly 3" Lyretail Molly 5" Red Wag Platy 2.5"

Use Caution With

Black Skirt Tetra 2.5" Serpae Tetra 1.75" Congo Tetra 3.5" Glowlight Tetra 1.5" Harlequin Rasbora 2" Celestial Pearl Danio 1" Zebra Danio 2" Lemon Tetra 1.5" Black Neon Tetra 1.5" Diamond Tetra 2.5" Buenos Aires Tetra 3" Scissortail Rasbora 3.5"

Incompatible With

Neon Tetra 1.5" Cardinal Tetra 2" Rummy Nose Tetra 2" Ember Tetra 0.8" Chili Rasbora 0.7" White Cloud Mountain Minnow 1.5" Green Neon Tetra 1" Red Phantom Tetra 1.5" Espei Rasbora 1.5" Phoenix Rasbora 0.8" Exclamation Point Rasbora 0.7" Silver Hatchetfish 2.5"

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Synodontis Petricola is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.