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Featherfin SqueakerFeatherfin Catfish, Featherfin SynodontisFamily: Mochokidae Synodontis eupterusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Patrick SchraderLatest Reader Comment - See More Mine was bought at 3cm and now is about 10 cm. I have him in a 55 gallon with sand, cichlids, a peacock eel, silver dollars, a cuvier bichir, two harliquin... (more) Charlie The Featherfin Catfish is quite a pretty fish with delicate lacey fins and a polka dot patterning!Featherfin Squeaker Contents The Featherfin Squeaker Synodontis eupterus is a considerably sized Synodontis catfish originating from river basins and lakes across much of central Africa. Though generally they are between 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm), this species can reach up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) in length. These catfish are often spotted or patterned with varying degrees of browns and sometimes grays. They are particularly noted for their beautiful huge, feathery fins. With their beautiful fins, color patterning, and impressive size, they make a striking center piece in an aquarium. This Featherfin Synodontis is also an 'upside-down' catfish species. Like their well-known relatives, the Upside-Down Catfish Synodontis nigriventris, they too can swim upside down at will. They are called squeakers as well, because they produce a squeaking sound as a warning to both predators and competitors during spawning time. They produce this squeaking noise by rubbing the spines of its pectoral fins into grooves on its shoulders. Other names they are know by include Featherfin Catfish and Featherfin Synodontis. They are also referred to as the Lace Cat or Synodontis Lace Catfish, though this name is more often applied to its very similar cousin the Lace Synodontis Synodontis nigrita. The Featherfin Squeaker is a great choice as a durable and attractive bottom scavenger. When kept singly they make a very handsome and intriguing showpiece, and are particularly active when feeding. They are also compatible with others of their own genus as long as the tank is large enough with plenty of rocks or driftwood for places of refuge. Each fish will pick a particular spot under a piece of driftwood or in a hole to call their own. Yet when kept with another, they will also enjoy frolicking and chasing each other through tunnels and holes in a well decorated aquarium. Featherfin Catfish are fairly hardy fish. A minimum aquarium size of 50 gallons is suggested. They are not difficult to keep in a well maintained environment. They get along well in a large community aquarium. Most other tank mates, both large and small, will get along fine as long as they aren't bottom dwellers feeding in the same area. Small bottoms feeders like Corydoras or Otocinclus can be at risk. Yet even more aggressive fish, like African cichlids, can make good tank mates for these attractive scavengers. For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Featherfin Squeaker Synodontis eupterus was described by Boulenger in 1901. They inhabit much of central Africa, including Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Cameroon. They are found in the famous White Nile river system as well. Other common names they are known by include Featherfin Catfish, Featherfin Synodontis, Synodontis Lace Catfish, and Lace Cat. Due to their wide distribution they are not considered threatened and are listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
Featherfin Catfish prefer living near muddy or rocky bottoms of rivers in their natural habitat, preying upon insect larvae and even eating algae. They prefer moderately fast flowing rivers. Like most catfish, they are primarily scavengers and will eat most available items that are edible. Featherfin Synodontis enjoy each other’s company in the wild and often live in small, fluctuating groups.
- Scientific Name: Synodontis eupterus
- Social Grouping: Groups
- IUCN Red List: LC - Least Concern
The Featherfin Squeaker is fairly large and a long-lived catfish. It can get up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) in length, though they usually only obtain 6 - 8” (15-20 cm) in the aquarium. They commonly have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, but can live up to 25 years.
Featherfin Catfish have a flattened underside and triangular flanks leading up to their sharp, spined dorsal fin that develops lacy extensions on the adults. The barbels are quite pronounced and very flexible allowing them to seek food and warn other competitors off with a ‘tickle’. These catfish are often spotted or patterned with varying degrees of browns and sometimes grays. Called Featherfin Synodontis, they are particularly noted for their huge, feathery fins. Because Featherfins can range greatly in color, they can easily be confused with similar Synodontis species and can be sold as a completely different species.
Juveniles and adults often look completely different and the young do not have the distinctive dorsal fin extensions. When young these fish can easily be misidentified with their close relative, the Upside-Down Catfish Synodontis nigriventris. But once the Featherfin Synodontis grows well past four inches their identity becomes clear.
Synodontis are known as squeaker catfish because they produce a squeaking sound by rubbing the spines of the pectoral fins into grooves on the shoulders. They use this sound as a warning to both predators and competitors during spawning time. Like their relatives the Upside-Down Catfish, they can also swim upside down at will. Pay attention to the long, flowing fins, delicately spotted body, and their eventual adult size for identification.
- Maximum Size: 11.8 inches (30.00 cm) - They usually only obtain 6-8” (15-20 cm) in the aquarium.
- Lifespan: 25 years - Up to 25 years, but more commonly 8-10.
The Featherfin Squeaker is a good definition of a hardy fish. Featherfins can withstand a variety of water conditions, food types, and tank mates. Very little effects these survivors. Tanks can be extremely dirty since this mimics much of their natural habitat, though a dirty tank is not recommended. One thing they do require though is a decently size aquarium, preferably over 50 gallons.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Featherfin Synodontis are omnivores that feed on insect larvae, algae, and any other foods source they can scavenge in the wild. In the aquarium they are not hard to feed at all. These enthusiastic eaters will consume nearly any food they can locate with a rambunctious attitude. Even though they prefer to be under cover during day time, the tantalizing smell of food in the water will often bring them out of their domain for a good feasting time. Meaty foods, vegetable tablets, and anything in between will be appreciated by these hardy eaters. Brine shrimp and blood worms (either live or frozen), or even small earthworms would be an excellent once a week snack.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Daily
These Synodontis are nonchalant about their aquarium conditions. Little maintenance has to be done to keep them in good condition. Regular siphoning of the gravel is crucial to remove their waste and keep the tank in a clean state.The recommended water change is 10 - 15% every other week to keep up with the bio-load..
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly - Bi-Weekly water changes of 10 - 15% are recommended to keep the tank from becoming heavily fouled.
A minimum 100 gallon aquarium is recommended for the Featherfin Squeaker. This Synodontis catfish enjoys a tank with lots of hiding places, particularly driftwood. They have fun chasing each other around all the tunnels and holes, feeling secure under the driftwood. Once they find their favorite spot, they will stay there much of their lives unless the tank is revamped or a competitor out competes them for the space. Porous rocks, such as the tufa used for African cichlid tanks, are also welcomed by these catfish. Substrate should be sand or some type of smooth gravel to reduce the chance of barbel damage. Plants also provide cover, but they must be tough and resilient since these catfish often âshoveâ away anything in their path.
- Minimum Tank Size: 50 gal (189 L)
- Suitable for Nano Tank: No
- Substrate Type: Sand/Gravel Mix - Sand or smooth gravel will help reduce the chance of barbel damage.
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 81.0° F (22.2 - 27.2° C)
- Range ph: 5.6-7.5
- Hardness Range: 8 - 20 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Bottom
Featherfin Catfish are not aggressive, but they arenât necessarily peaceful either. They fall into the range of semi-aggressive. They posing little risk to small fish that swim in the middle or top of the tank, but they can harass smaller bottoms feeders like Corydoras or Otocinclus. They also tend to be food hogs, so weak, slow eating fish will often find they have missed out.
The Featherfin Squeaker enjoys the company of its own genus, but like the majority of Synodontis they have an intricate hierarchy system, mainly based on whoâs the biggest. The most dominant Featherfin will get the best hiding place. Their speciesâ internal bullying is rarely life threatening but can cause substantial stress leading to illness. Watch for any individual fish getting bullied too much. Featherfins are often an excellent addition in African Cichlid tanks.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive - Though basically a peaceful fish, they will harrass other bottom feeders.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes - They can be kept with other Synodontis if the tank is large with many hiding places.
- Peaceful fish (): Monitor - Be cautious with smaller bottoms feeders like Corydoras or Otocinclus that compete for food.
- Semi-Aggressive (): Safe - Can usually be kept with semi-aggressive and even aggressive fish such as Rift Lake cichlids.
- Aggressive (): Monitor
- Large Semi-Aggressive (): Safe
- Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Monitor
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor - Synodontis are food hogs and slow eaters may not get enough to eat.
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat - is aggressive - Featherfin Synodontis enjoy consuming snails.
- Plants: Safe
Females lean on the side of being larger with a bigger girth than male fish. They often develop âpot belliesâ
Featherfin Synodontis have not been successfully bred in home aquariums, though they have been bred in fish farms with the help of added hormones.
- Ease of Breeding: Unknown - This fish has been bred in fish farms with the help of added hormones, however breeding is unknown in the home aquarium.
Synodontis euptera are very hardy fish and have no diseases they are particularly effected by. However, they are subject to the same diseases as other tropical fish. For information about freshwater fish diseases and illnesses, see Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.
The Featherfin Squeaker is generally available from pet stores and online and moderately priced.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Glen S. Axelrod, Brian M. Scott, Neal Pronek, Encyclopedia Of Exotic Tropical Fishes For Freshwater Aquariums, TFH Publications, 2005
- Walter Lechner, Lidia E Wysocki, Friedrich Ladich, Ontogenetic Development of Auditory Sensitivity and Sound Production in the Squeaker Catfish Synodontis schoutedeni, BMC Biology, 2010
- David Sands, African & Asian Catfishes, Tetra-Press, 1986
- Synodontis euptera Boulenger, 1901 Featherfin squeaker, Fish Base
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