Featherfin squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Featherfin syno, Featherfin catfish, Featherfin upside-down catfish
Family
Mochokidae (squeakers and upside-down catfishes)
Origin
West and north-central Africa: the White Nile, Lake Chad, Volta and Niger basins (including the Bénoué), with FishBase also listing the Kwa Ibo and Cross rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
5.6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to moderately hard, up to about 15 dGH
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The featherfin squeaker is a robust, mostly nocturnal catfish from African rivers, best known for the tall, sail-like dorsal fin of adults and for the long filaments that grow from the dorsal and pectoral spines. It often swims upside down, especially under overhangs. Like other Synodontis it can make an audible squeak when handled, by rubbing the base of its pectoral spine against the shoulder girdle. It is often sold as a small juvenile but grows large: PlanetCatfish gives up to 30 cm standard length, although most aquarium fish stay well below that. It is not a fish for a small community tank. PlanetCatfish suggests nothing shorter than about 1 metre, and the 300-litre minimum given here is our estimate for a single adult or a small group. It can be kept singly or in a group if every fish has its own refuge. Furnish the tank with plenty of rock caves and bogwood (a large, branching piece of wood is ideal), but leave open areas, because it likes to patrol in dim light and after dark. Use a heater guard: PlanetCatfish warns that these fish like to rest against heaters and can be badly burned. It is undemanding about water. PlanetCatfish gives 22–26 °C and pH 5.6–7.5; FishBase gives pH 6.2–7.5 and hardness up to 15 dH. Good filtration and regular water changes matter more than exact figures. Identification and sexing: Synodontis have a hard bony head shield, serrated first rays in the dorsal and pectoral fins, a forked tail and three pairs of barbels (one on the upper jaw, two on the lower jaw). Young fish look quite different from adults and start to change colour at about 4 cm. Males have a raised, ridged genital papilla; females have a broader papilla with the opening on the underside, which may look reddish when the fish is ripe. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2019). FishBase notes it is traded commercially for aquariums. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=121); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Synodontis-eupterus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Featherfinsqueaker). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that in the wild eats mainly insect larvae plus some algae. In the aquarium it takes sinking catfish pellets and tablets readily; add frozen or live bloodworm and other small invertebrates, and some vegetable-based food. Feed after the lights go down so it gets its share.

Breeding

Breeding in aquariums is very rare: PlanetCatfish describes the status as unknown, with only one breeding report. FishBase notes that it forms distinct pairs when breeding. Commercial supplies of other Synodontis are often produced with hormones on fish farms, so ask the seller about the origin of the fish. Sex by the genital papilla as described in the care notes.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful for its size and suitable for a community of medium to large fish such as larger tetras and barbs, peaceful cichlids, rainbowfish and other robust catfish. It may eat very small fish at night once adult. Give each catfish its own cave to avoid squabbles over shelter.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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