Synodontis pleurops

Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon.

Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon.

120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~108 litres~29 US gal.

An aquarium with a soft substrate and rocks, pieces of driftwood, twisted roots and broad leaved plants arranged to form hiding places suits this species. Floating vegetation is also recommended in order to diffuse the light entering the tank.

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C72 – 79 °F

pH: 6.0-7.0

Hardness: 5-15 dH

Although it is omnivorous and will accept frozen and dried foods, S. pleurops is primarily a herbivore and a large component of the diet should be vegetable matter in the form of shelled peas, cucumber, algae wafers etc., which it will rasp at with the teeth in its lower jaw.

S. pleurops will rarely predate on other fish. It can be combined with most peaceful fish successfully but should not be housed with aggressive species. The most appropriate tankmates include African tetras, dwarf cichlids such as Pelvicachromis or Anomalochromis and small mormyrids.

Mature females are plumper than males. It can also be sexed by examining the genital papillae. This is not for the amateur however. The fish should be held ventral side up in the palm of your hand and the dorsal fin taken between your middle and ring fingers in order to avoid being pierced by the sharp dorsal fin rays. The genital area you are looking for is concealed beneath the pelvic fins. This can be exposed by pulling (gently) on the caudal fin. A male fish will exhibit an extended papillae which should be pointed and ridged. The spermatoduct can be seen on the caudal side. Females also have a clearly visible papillae but this is more rounded and the oviduct is on the opposite side to the male's spermatoduct. Most species of medium/large Synodontis can be sexed using this method but it should be noted that most species take 2 years or more to reach sexual maturity.

Not achieved under natural conditions in aquaria, although captive breeding has occured on commercial fish farms via the use of hormone injections. Many of the young fish that come onto the market have been produced in this way. In nature, S. pleurops breeds in areas of seasonal flooding that are rich in micro-organisms. They are egg scatterers and exhibit no parental care.

S. pleurops is a very nocturnal species and unless the light in the aquarium is dim will rarely be seen. It is also very distinctive and is hard to confuse with other species. It has very large eyes and a downturned mouth, denoting its algae grazing habits. It will rarely venture into open water in the aquarium, preferring to hug the surface of pieces of driftwood, rocks and broad plant leaves. The colouration and patterning can vary considerably depending on type locality.