The Featherfin Squeaker is a nocturnal, peaceful catfish known for its unique feather-like dorsal fin. It’s a hardy species, ideal for community aquariums with larger fish.
Overview
The Featherfin Squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) is a distinctive and hardy catfish species belonging to the Mochokidae family. Native to the rivers and lakes of Central and West Africa, this fish is easily recognized by its large, feather-like dorsal fin, which gives it its common name. The Featherfin Squeaker is a nocturnal species, preferring to stay hidden during the day and becoming active at night. It typically grows to a length of 15-20 cm and can live for 8-12 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Known for its peaceful nature, this catfish is a great addition to community tanks with other larger, non-aggressive fish.
Tank Requirements
The Featherfin Squeaker requires a spacious tank of at least 150 liters to accommodate its size and active nighttime behavior. The water temperature should be maintained between 23-28°C, with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.5, and a water hardness (GH) of 4-15. A well-aerated tank with a moderate to strong current is ideal, as it mimics the natural riverine environment of this species. The tank should include plenty of hiding spots, such as caves, driftwood, and dense vegetation, to provide shelter during the day. Soft, sandy substrate is recommended to prevent injury to their sensitive barbels.
Feeding and Diet
Featherfin Squeakers are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods in the wild, including insects, crustaceans, plant matter, and detritus. In the aquarium, they should be offered a balanced diet consisting of high-quality sinking pellets, along with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They will also scavenge for uneaten food on the tank bottom, helping to keep the tank clean. It's important to feed them after the lights go out to align with their nocturnal feeding habits.
Care and Maintenance
Caring for the Featherfin Squeaker involves regular tank maintenance, including weekly water changes of 20-25% and monitoring water parameters to ensure they remain stable. Due to their nocturnal nature, it’s essential to provide plenty of hiding spots to reduce stress. Featherfin Squeakers are generally hardy, but good water quality and a varied diet are key to preventing common health issues, such as bacterial infections and parasitic infestations.
Compatibility
The Featherfin Squeaker is a peaceful and generally non-aggressive species, making it suitable for community tanks with other larger, peaceful fish. They should not be kept with small or delicate species, as they may inadvertently harm them while scavenging. Suitable tank mates include larger tetras, cichlids, and other catfish. Due to their nocturnal habits, they may not interact much with other fish during the day.
Breeding
Breeding Featherfin Squeakers in captivity is challenging and rarely occurs without intervention. They are egg scatterers, and successful breeding typically requires specific conditions, such as a separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops for the eggs to adhere to. The parents should be removed after spawning to prevent them from eating the eggs. The eggs hatch in about 3-4 days, and the fry can be fed infusoria or finely crushed flake food until they are large enough to accept larger foods.