Featherfin Squeaker
Synodontis eupterus
The Eupterus possesses a gigantic reticulated dorsal fin, which frays as an adult giving it the appearance of a 'Featherfin'. Often swims upside down to feed on the surface.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 8
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
30 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 200 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
5 - 20 dGH
KH
4 - 15 dKH
TDS
115 - 450 ppm
Conductivité
180 - 703 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Wide African distribution: White Nile basin, Niger and Chad rivers, up to Sudan. Thrives in the rocky areas of fast-flowing rivers and in riverbeds dotted with sunken logs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Featherfin Squeaker (Synodontis eupterus). "Featherfin" refers to the superb sail-like dorsal fin formed by extended and extremely developed spiny rays that resembles a majestic feathered crest.
Social Behavior: Gregarious when young, they become intensely territorial and pugnacious as they grow. The alpha male angrily defends the rock or cave he has chosen, both from other Synodontis and from unsuspecting Cichlids, sometimes swimming proudly upside down.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: In juveniles, a zebra "tiger pattern" dominates. As they mature, the livery evolves into a dark smoke/olive gray, completely studded with very dense black spots (dots). Females disproportionately more swollen in size, males with hyper-developed dorsal fin.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Lake Tanganyika-type rocky layouts are ideal, but at least 150 cm (60 inches) long. Overlap large limestone boulders or roots to form wide passages and dark caves where the animal will spend most of the day.
Diet and Feeding: Opportunistic and ravenous omnivore. Sweeps the bottom hunting for everything. Will devour any sinking tablet, vegetable pellet and meat granule, also demonstrating a fierce predatory instinct towards live small items placed in the tank.
Water Quality: It is a "tank". Lives in almost any water condition but excels in hard and moderately basic waters (pH up to 8.0). Needs a powerful filtration to dispose of its gigantic fecal and protein input.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect squire for "Monster Fish" and massive African Cichlids from Lake Malawi and Tanganyika. It defends itself strenuously even from dominant cichlids. Forbidden to mix it with tiny fish: they will be considered expensive nocturnal snacks.
Aquarium Breeding: Non-existent in the home environment. No documented reproductions have been recorded within closed aquariums. The large bulk on the market derives from industrial-scale reproductions mediated by Asian hormonal induction.
Risks and Diseases: Many eupterus are blind due to eye trauma caused by failure to siphon the gravel, or suffer necrosis of the "featherfin" due to fierce territorial brawls. Lethal spines for gauze nets.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Wide African distribution: White Nile basin, Niger and Chad rivers, up to Sudan. Thrives in the rocky areas of fast-flowing rivers and in riverbeds dotted with sunken logs.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- They possess a generally peaceful but somewhat boisterous and territorial temperament. While they ignore mid and top-water fish, they will fiercely defend their favorite caves from other bottom dwellers. They are hardy and confident, holding their own against semi-aggressive cichlids. Once comfortable, they become quite active and visible during the evening.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Synodontis eupterus is a completely unfussy omnivore that accepts a wide variety of foods. Their natural diet consists of insect larvae, small crustaceans, and plant matter. In the aquarium, they eagerly eat sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Providing some vegetable matter ensures proper digestion and long-term health.
- Espérance de vie
- 8-12 years
- Taille adulte
- 30 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- There is no strict sex ratio required for this species, as they are not schooling fish. A single specimen is perfectly fine and often preferred to prevent territorial disputes. If keeping multiple individuals, a very large tank is needed so each can establish a territory. Visual sexing is very difficult, making specific ratios hard to maintain.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Being primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, it is best to feed them once or twice a day. The main feeding should occur just before or after the aquarium lights are turned off. This gives them a chance to forage naturally without competing with fast, diurnal fish. Avoid overfeeding, as they will constantly search the bottom for scraps.
- Charge biologique
- High
- This relatively large catfish produces a moderate to high biological load in the aquarium. Due to their robust appetite and size, an efficient filtration system is absolutely essential. Regular partial water changes are also required to keep nitrate levels manageable. They contribute significantly to the overall bioload of a community tank.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- Originating from rivers, they appreciate a moderate water flow that provides excellent oxygenation. While they don't require torrential currents, steady water movement mimics their natural habitat perfectly. Powerheads or spray bars can help achieve this gentle yet consistent flow. They also need calm resting spots behind driftwood or rocks.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- The jump risk for this species is relatively low since they are bottom dwellers. They spend most of their time navigating the substrate and exploring caves. However, any fish can jump if startled by sudden lights or poor water conditions. A standard, well-fitting lid is strongly recommended to prevent accidental escapes.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding this species in a home aquarium is extremely rare and poorly documented. In commercial aquaculture, they are bred using hormone injections to induce spawning. They are naturally egg-scatterers that breed during seasonal floods in the wild. Casual aquarists should not expect them to reproduce without specialized setups.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- They are generally peaceful with fish that are too large to be considered prey. However, they can be highly territorial and aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling species. Robust tankmates like medium to large African cichlids are ideal companions. Very small, delicate fish should be avoided as they may be eaten.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- This species almost exclusively occupies the bottom levels of the aquarium. They constantly interact with the substrate, exploring caves and crevices. They are also famous for swimming upside down under pieces of driftwood or large leaves. Providing plenty of hiding spots near the substrate is crucial for their comfort.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,7 ± 0,28 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01445, b = 2.9
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible à modérée (27 / 100)
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