Featherfin Squeaker Catfish: Identification, Facts, Care Guide

Are you searching for an intriguing addition to your aquarium that will leave your fellow fish enthusiasts in awe? Look no further than the Featherfin Squeaker Catfish!

This captivating species, scientifically known as Synodontis eupterus, hails from the heart of Africa, with countries like Nigeria, Chad, and Ghana being its native homes. With its unique appearance and adaptability, the Featherfin Squeaker Catfish has become a sought-after choice among both novice and experienced aquarists.

Its distinct features, including a flattened underside, triangular flanks, and a striking spined dorsal fin, make it a visually appealing asset to any tank. But that’s just scratching the surface – there’s so much more to discover about the identification, facts, and care of this extraordinary catfish.

Habitat and Description

The Featherfin Squeaker Catfish, scientifically known as Synodontis eupterus, was first described by Boulenger in 1901, and it’s native to central Africa, specifically Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Cameroon. This species can also be found in the White Nile river system.

The Featherfin Squeaker Catfish, also known as Featherfin Catfish, Featherfin Synodontis, Synodontis Lace Catfish, or Lace Cat, can reach a maximum length of 11.8 inches (30 cm), although they typically grow to about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in aquariums. They’ve a flattened underside and triangular flanks that lead up to their sharp, spined dorsal fin. The Featherfin Squeaker Catfish have pronounced and flexible barbels and display varying degrees of brown and gray patterns. It’s important to note that the appearance of juveniles and adults differ.

In terms of care, they’re hardy fish that can adapt to different water conditions, food types, and tank mates. They prefer a moderately fast flowing river-like environment, and providing hiding places such as rocks or driftwood is crucial. Featherfin Squeaker Catfish are omnivores and will eat insect larvae, algae, and any other food source they can scavenge. They can be fed a variety of foods including meaty foods, vegetable tablets, and occasional snacks like brine shrimp or blood worms. These catfish should be fed daily.

Fish Keeping Difficulty and Care

Caring for Featherfin Squeaker Catfish is relatively easy, making them a suitable choice for beginner aquarists. These fish are hardy and can withstand different water conditions, food types, and tank mates. While they can survive in extremely dirty tanks, it isn’t recommended. To ensure their well-being, it’s important to provide them with a decently sized aquarium, preferably over 50 gallons. Regular water changes and proper filtration are also recommended for their optimal health.

Featherfin Squeaker Catfish prefer a moderately fast flowing river-like environment, so it’s beneficial to create such conditions in the aquarium. Providing hiding places and places of refuge, such as rocks or driftwood, is important for their sense of security.

Featherfin Squeaker Catfish are omnivores and will consume nearly any food they can find. They can be fed meaty foods, vegetable tablets, and anything in between. Brine shrimp, blood worms, and small earthworms can be given as occasional snacks. It’s important to feed them daily to meet their nutritional needs.

Foods and Feeding

What do Featherfin Squeaker Catfish eat in the wild and how should they be fed in captivity? Featherfin Synodontis are omnivores that feed on insect larvae, algae, and any other food source they can scavenge in the wild. They are not picky eaters and will consume nearly any food they can find. In captivity, they can be fed a varied diet consisting of meaty foods, vegetable tablets, and anything in between. It is important to provide them with a balanced diet to ensure their overall health and well-being.

To emphasize the importance of a balanced diet for Featherfin Squeaker Catfish, here is a table outlining some suitable food options for them:

Food Type	Description
Meaty Foods	Brine shrimp, blood worms, small earthworms
Vegetable Tablets	Specially formulated tablets containing a blend of vegetables and plant matter
Other Food Sources	Pelleted foods, flakes, freeze-dried foods, and live or frozen foods suitable for omnivorous fish

Featherfin Squeaker Catfish should be fed daily, offering an amount of food that they can consume within a few minutes. It is important to avoid overfeeding them, as this can lead to water pollution and health issues. Additionally, providing occasional snacks of brine shrimp, blood worms, or small earthworms can help to diversify their diet and provide additional nutrients. By offering a varied diet and ensuring regular feeding, you can help promote the overall health and vitality of your Featherfin Squeaker Catfish.

Aquarium Setup

To properly set up an aquarium for Featherfin Squeaker Catfish, consider the following guidelines and recommendations.

• A minimum tank size of 50 gallons (189 L) is recommended to provide enough space for these fish to swim and explore.
• It’s important to provide hiding places for the catfish, such as driftwood and porous rocks, as they enjoy having places of refuge.
• When choosing a substrate, opt for sand or smooth gravel to reduce the risk of barbel damage, as these fish have sensitive barbels.
• Resilient plants can also be added to the aquarium to provide additional cover for the catfish.

Maintaining the appropriate temperature range is crucial for the well-being of Featherfin Squeaker Catfish.

• The water temperature should be kept between 72.0 to 81.0°F (22.2 to 27.2°C) to mimic their natural habitat.
• This can be achieved using a reliable aquarium heater and thermometer.

In terms of water quality, regular water changes and proper filtration are highly recommended to keep the aquarium environment clean and healthy for the catfish.

• Featherfin Squeaker Catfish prefer a moderately fast flowing river-like environment, so consider using a water pump or powerhead to create gentle water movement in the tank.

Social Behaviors, Breeding, and Diseases

Featherfin Squeaker Catfish exhibit a semi-aggressive temperament and have an intricate hierarchy system based on size within their species. This means that larger individuals tend to dominate over smaller ones. While they may not pose a significant threat to small fish occupying the middle or top areas of the tank, they can be quite territorial and may harass smaller bottom feeders. Bullying within the species can lead to stress and illness, so it’s important to provide ample hiding places and territories to minimize aggression.

When it comes to breeding, Featherfin Squeaker Catfish haven’t been successfully bred in home aquariums. Instead, they’re typically bred in fish farms with the assistance of added hormones. The ease of breeding these catfish in home aquariums is currently unknown.

In terms of diseases, Featherfin Squeaker Catfish are relatively hardy and not susceptible to any specific ailments. However, they’re still vulnerable to the same diseases that affect other tropical fish. High nitrate levels can cause infection in their barbels, so it’s crucial to maintain a proper environment with balanced water parameters. It’s important to note that Featherfin Squeaker Catfish are scaleless, which means caution should be exercised when administering medications.

Featherfin Squeaker Catfish are generally available for purchase from pet stores and online retailers. They’re moderately priced, making them accessible to a wide range of aquarium enthusiasts.