Synodontis polli

About

The squeaker (Synodontis polli) is a catfish from Lake Tanganyika, part of the diverse and well-studied Synodontis genus that has long fascinated hobbyists drawn to African rift lake setups. It closely resembles its more commonly traded relative S. petricola, but can be told apart by its proportionally longer head and larger body spots. A detail worth knowing since it sometimes turns up in shops mislabeled as S. petricola, S. angelicus, or simply an unidentified Synodontis species. Finding it correctly labeled is half the challenge, as it genuinely is an uncommon sight in the trade. In the wild it reproduces as an egg scatterer, with observations suggesting pairs form during spawning, though captive breeding has not been documented. In the aquarium it works best alongside similarly sized fish that share its preference for hard, alkaline water. Tanganyikan and other rift lake mouthbrooding cichlids are natural tankmates, and suitably adapted rainbowfish or livebearers can also work. Small fish that might be mistaken for food should be avoided. Keeping a group is possible, and some squabbling while individuals sort out their pecking order is normal and usually settles down. This is a rewarding catfish for the keeper already comfortable with rift lake conditions.