Synodontis Petricola Small
Common name: Dwarf cuckoo catfish
Scientific name: Synodontis petricola
Distribution: Lake Tanganyika
Habitat: Rocky shores shared with many species of cichlids such as Tropheus and Neolamprologus
Temperature: 76 – 80°F
pH: 7.5 – 9.0
Adult size: 4-5 inches
Diet: Unfussy omnivore that will eat dried foods, frozen and live foods, and blanched vegetables
Conspecifics: Social with its own kind; multiple individuals will often share hiding spots and school together
Tankmates: Very peaceful and suitable for most Tanganyikan setups
Notes: Synodontis petricola is often confused with the very similar-looking Synodontis lucipinnis. The latter can be distinguished by the presence of a clear patch at the base of its ventral and anal fins as well as its smaller adult size (about 3.5 instead of 4.5 inches). Synodontis petricola practices brood parasitism, tricking mouthbrooding cichlids into caring for its young instead. The behavior tends to be opportunistic in this species; Synodontis petricola is an egg-scatterer in the absence of suitable hosts.
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