Schouteden's Synodontis

Synodontis schoutedeni is a compact, attractively mottled species from the Congo River basin whose complex brown, cream and dark marbling provides excellent camouflage against rocky or leaf-littered substrates. It is a small to medium Synodontis, making it more manageable for moderately sized aquariums than many of its larger relatives.

In the aquarium it is peaceful and moderately active, spending time both sheltering within caves and foraging openly on the substrate and rock surfaces. It adapts well to soft, slightly acidic to neutral Congo-type water conditions and accepts a variety of sinking foods readily.

Rare enough in the trade to be considered a collector's species, S. schoutedeni rewards patient aquarists with its unusual patterning and amenable personality.

Water: 22–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 4–12, KH 1–8). Tank: 150 L minimum; Congo-style setup with driftwood, leaf litter and rock caves; dim lighting. Feeding: Quality sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp; supplement with Spirulina wafers. Breeding: Cave spawner; rarely bred in captivity; wild-caught fish require thorough quarantine. Compatibility: Peaceful with Congo community fish; suitable with small to medium cichlids and tetras.