Even-spotted squeaker, dwarf lake syno, false cuckoo syno (Synodontis petricola) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Pygmy leopard catfish, Even-spotted squeaker, Dwarf lake syno, False cuckoo syno, Petricola catfish
Family
Mochokidae (squeakers and upside-down catfishes)
Origin
Northern Lake Tanganyika, on the Democratic Republic of the Congo side, among rocks.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
13 cm
Temperature
22–24°C
pH
7–8.5
Hardness
Hard, alkaline Rift Lake water
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small Tanganyikan squeaker with a pale body covered in dark spots and white-edged fins. The name petricola means rock-dweller. PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of about 13 cm standard length. It tolerates its own kind well and is best in a small group. PlanetCatfish recommends clusters of rock rather than bogwood; tall plants such as giant Vallisneria are tolerated. Build caves and crevices from rock and use sand. A tank of at least 200 litres for a group (our estimate) gives room for the cichlids it is usually kept with. Keep hard, alkaline Rift Lake water: PlanetCatfish gives 22–24 °C and pH 7–8.5, though in practice it adapts to the 24–26 °C usual in cichlid tanks. Keep nitrate low with regular water changes. Telling it apart: S. petricola and S. lucipinnis both have white edges along the front of the dorsal and pectoral fins, which separates them from the cuckoo catfish (S. multipunctatus). PlanetCatfish notes that petricola has smaller spots on the head than on the body, unlike lucipinnis. It also points out that petricola, as currently defined, is very variable and probably contains more than one species, and that many fish sold under this name are lucipinnis or hybrids. The fin spines lock and tangle in nets, so handle with care. PlanetCatfish lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Much of the trade stock is captive-bred. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=857). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An easy feeder that accepts all prepared foods and eats heavily: sinking pellets, tablets and flake, plus frozen bloodworm, mysis and brine shrimp. Take care not to overfeed.

Breeding

Fish sold as petricola are bred in captivity, but PlanetCatfish notes that breeding reports are uncertain because of confusion with S. lucipinnis. Unlike the cuckoo catfish it is not usually kept as a brood parasite in hobby tanks. Most fish on sale come from commercial breeders; occasional hobby spawnings happen in caves in mature tanks, where any fry hide in the rockwork.

Compatibility and tank mates

A sociable, unimposing species that suits Rift Lake cichlid tanks, especially Tanganyikan and Malawi communities, and other hard-water fish. It may eat very small fry.

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

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