Congo Catfish

About

Found across the middle and upper Congo River basin, Synodontis greshoffi is a mid-sized catfish from a genus known for producing some real characters. And this species is no exception. It's infrequently imported compared to more familiar Synodontis, which is a shame because it carries attractive patterning and is generally less combative than many of its relatives. That said, it does develop territorial tendencies as it matures, particularly toward other Synodontis species, so any tankmates of its own kind will need their own dedicated retreats. Small fish are firmly on the menu, so keep those out of the picture. Robust companions like Alestiid tetras, West African cichlids, mormyrids, and larger barbs or rasboras tend to hold their own alongside it without trouble. It can be kept in a small group in a suitably large tank as long as everyone has somewhere to claim as their own. In the wild it reproduces during seasonal flood periods, scattering eggs with no parental involvement, though captive breeding hasn't been documented. New keepers who want something a little different from the usual community setup will find it a manageable fish, though its adult size rules it out for smaller or delicate community tanks. Occasionally confused with Synodontis schoutedeni, which looks similar at a glance.