Large-spot Catfish

Naked Catfish - Upside-Down Catfish

Family: MochokidaeSynodontis ocellifer

   The word 'ocellifer' means 'eye-like spot', and the Synodontis Ocellifer certainly has big spots!

   There are several color forms of the Synodontis Ocellifer available. These include b lack, tan, yellow.  Some have color in the finnage, while others have almost no color other than their large spots. The large spot variety, which is the most attractive of the color forms, used to be quite rare but is fairly common now.

   Although this Synodontis (like most of this genus) gets rather large, reaching up to 19" (20 cm) when mature but rarely exceeding 10" (25.4 cm) in the home aquarium. It is an excellent addition to a large community aquarium. The Synodontis Ocellifer are fairly hardy fish and are not difficult to keep in a well maintained environment.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Synodontis ocellifer Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Siluriformes Family: Mochokidae Genus: Synodontis Species: ocellifer

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   Described by Boulenger, 1900. The Synodontis Ocellifer Catfish are native to West and Central African river systems.

• Scientific Name: Synodontis ocellifer
• Social Grouping: Groups - More than one can be kept successfully in the same aquarium but they can be kept as single specimens as well.
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

The Synodontis Ocellifer Catfish is a peaceful bottom scavenger. During daylight hours it will spend much of its time hidden under driftwood or in caves provided by the aquarist. It is yellowish to brown with large black spots all over its body. It has the characteristic sharp spines on it's dorsal fin and so should be transported using a glass or plastic container rather than a net.

• Size of fish - inches: 19.0 inches (48.26 cm) - Many individuals will not exceed 11 inches, although 19 inches is certainly not outside the realm of possibility.
• Lifespan: 20 years

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy - This fish is hardy if the tank is well kept.
• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous, the Synodontis Ocellifer will generally eat all kinds of live fresh and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food or pellet everyday. Also feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex, and blood worms.

• Diet Type: Omnivore - Although omivorous this fish prefers a greater protein component. Frequent treating with live options such as bloodworms or brineshrimp is highly advised.
• Flake Food: No
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gal (284 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 72.0 to 79.0° F (22.2 to 26.1° C)
• Range ph: 6.5-7.8
• Hardness Range: 2 - 15 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: Bottom

Social Behaviors

   The Synodontis Ocellifer are generally a good community fish and can be kept with any size tank-mates.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive (): Safe
  • Aggressive (): Monitor - Many semi-aggressive and aggressive fish will not bother nocturnal and armored catfish.
  • Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Safe
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
  • Plants: Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

   Not known.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Has not been bred in captivity.

• Ease of Breeding: Unknown

Availability

   The Synodontis Ocellifer is available from time to time. The large spot variety used to be quite rare but is fairly common now.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Available From These Merchants

• Synodontis : $15.79

Synodontis Longirostris Offered By: PetsMart Price: $15.79

Lastest Animal Stories on Large-spot Catfish View all 13 Animal Stories on Large-spot Catfish Add Your Animal Story

jason - 2011-03-10 I give mine feeder fish with my hoplo catfish and a oscar but also have a common pleco but my syndontis grew an inch. My hoplo catfish is hoplosternum littorale which is 9 inches and my oscar is 9 inches and the syndontis ocellifer is 8 inches and the pleco is 9 inches. All of them but the pleco eat feeder fish which include minnows and gold fish my fish are awesome my hoplo catfish and the oscar beg me for food a freakin catfish begs me for food like the oscar. Reply

Andrew - 2004-03-13 A very hardy fish. I have had one for several years, he has been through a few tank changes, and has withstood high and low ph changes. Looks really cool, is easy to take care of and doesnt get too big like some catfish. He has even had some disease on his skin (my fault) and hes come back strong. He is very shy though, only really swimming around the tank at night when nobody is in the room. Reply

dave gross - 2008-05-15 My upside down cat was only an inch when I got him, he is now 15 inches big and five years old. He's been through several tanks and many road trips, very hardy. They told us he would only get six inches when mature, boy were they wrong about this guy. He started eating other fish at four inches. We didn't realize it for a while because it was happening at night, then one night I sat there with a black light (which they don't mind at all) and caught him in the act. So he spent the last four years with my Oscars. He's now too big for them too. It's a pretty sad sight to see three ten inch Oscars being bullied by one fish. Anyway, I keep looking for someone that might know more about this fish. He doesn't seem to fit in any categories I've searched. He's solid black and about as big as a softball in the middle with a long string-like thing hanging at the end of his tail(15 inches without the string). The only fish I've ever seen like him was in an old James Bond movie. jason 5 - 2011-02-17 Is he still alive and is he or she look like the picture? Reply

jason - 2010-10-28 hey it me again i have and just got 3 weeks ago he is 7 inches they can 19 inches if put in big tank. i have 2 names jason and jason 5 Reply

Jason - 2009-07-02 This fish grows nine inches. They like earth worms. I will be getting one of these catfish. Reply

Tell your story!

View all 13 Animal Stories on Large-spot Catfish