Albert's Synodontis

Synodontis alberti is native to the Lake Albert drainage in the Western Rift Valley, an area connecting the Congo and Nile drainages and supporting remarkable fish diversity. It is a stout, compact mochokid with coarse dark spotting on a grey-tan background and a characteristically broad head.

In the aquarium it adapts well to moderately hard, near-neutral to slightly alkaline water typical of East African community tanks. It is a hardy species tolerant of minor fluctuations in water parameters, making it practical for aquarists maintaining mixed African cichlid communities where conditions may vary slightly.

Its peaceful temperament and manageable adult size make it a useful and long-lived addition to the bottom zone of large East African aquariums.

Water: 22–27°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard (GH 8–18, KH 4–10). Tank: 200 L minimum; rocky caves and flat stones; sandy substrate; moderate filtration. Feeding: Sinking pellets, Spirulina wafers, frozen mysis and bloodworm; undemanding feeder. Breeding: Cave spawner; captive breeding not documented. Compatibility: Peaceful with medium to large East African cichlids; good community bottom dweller.