MochokidaeFreshwater Fishintermediate
Synodontis multipunctatus 'Cuckoo Catfish'
Synodontis multipunctatus
Origin: Lake Tanganyika, Africa
S
Water Parameters
Temperature24–28 °C
15 °C35 °C
pH7.5–8.5
49
GH (Hardness)10–20 °dGH
0 °dGH30 °dGH
KH (Alkalinity)6–15 °dKH
0 °dKH20 °dKH
Quick Stats
- Max Size
- 27 cm
- Min Tank
- 200 L
- Lifespan
- 15+
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Schooling
- No
- Diet
- omnivore
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive; brood parasite
About
Synodontis multipunctatus, the Cuckoo Catfish, is famous for its remarkable brood-parasitism — it times its spawning to coincide with Lake Tanganyika mouthbrooder cichlid spawning and inserts its own eggs into the cichlid's mouth. Young cuckoo catfish hatch and eat the cichlid eggs. Fascinating biotope fish.
Care Guide
Keep with Tropheus, Aulonocara or other mouthbrooding cichlids for brood-parasitism behaviour. 200 L+. Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods.
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