Quick summary The Red Tailed Synodontis is a large, hardy African catfish best suited to experienced aquarists who can provide at least a 400 litre tank, plenty of hiding spots, and careful handling around its sharp spines. It is not ideal for beginners or small community tanks, since it grows to 25-30 cm, is mostly…
Quick summary The White Polli Synodontis is a hardy, peaceful but mostly nocturnal catfish best suited to intermediate to experienced keepers who can provide a 200+ litre tank with plenty of rocky hiding spots and stable water quality. It’s a poor fit for those wanting a bold daytime display fish, a small community setup, or…
Quick summary The Congo Synodontis is a large, hardy nocturnal catfish that needs at least a 300 litre tank with plenty of caves and hiding spots, making it best suited to experienced keepers with spacious setups rather than small community tanks. It’s a peaceful but rewarding fish for those who can meet its size and…
Quick summary The Upside-Down Catfish is an easy-to-keep, peaceful catfish suited to beginners, thriving in community tanks of 75 litres or more when kept in groups of four to six. It’s hardy and adaptable to a range of water conditions, though breeding it successfully is difficult and best left to experienced keepers. In this guide:…
Quick summary The Orange Striped Squeaker is a striking but moderately difficult Congo River catfish best suited to aquarists with some catfish experience, a large tank of at least 200 litres, and plenty of hiding spots for this nocturnal, cave-dwelling species. It’s peaceful and adaptable to community life, but breeding is very difficult and mostly…
Quick summary The Niger Ripsaw Catfish is a peaceful giant that can grow over a metre long and needs a minimum 1,500 litre tank, making it suitable only for advanced keepers with serious space and filtration resources. If you can’t provide a very large, stable setup for a fish that may live 15-20+ years, this…
Quick summary The Lima Shovelnose is a large, nocturnal predatory catfish suited only to experienced keepers with at least a 750 litre tank, and it will eat any tank mate small enough to fit in its mouth. It is not recommended for beginners, small setups, or breeding attempts, as it is a difficult species to…
Quick summary The Black Devil Catfish is an expert-only predator that grows to 60-70 cm, needs a minimum 1,500-litre tank, and will eat or attack almost any tank mate, making it unsuitable for beginners or casual buyers of small juveniles. Only commit if you can provide a massive, heavily filtered setup and a long-term plan…
Quick summary The Ninja Woodcat suits patient aquarists who can provide soft, acidic, tannin-stained water with plenty of driftwood hiding spots, but it is a strictly nocturnal fish that hides all day and only comes out after lights off. It’s moderately difficult to keep, kept best in groups of four to six, and not ideal…
Quick summary The Dotted Synodontis is a hardy, long-lived African catfish that suits moderately experienced keepers who can provide a 200+ litre tank, plenty of hiding spots, and dim lighting, but breeding it is very difficult and best left to specialists. It’s peaceful toward larger tank mates but will eat small fish and shrimp, so…