Synodontis petricola  -  These catfish have a long slender golden bronze coloured body with darker spots and golden edged fins. Sometimes known as the cuckoo catfish as in their natural environment they are known to hide their eggs amongst Cichlids eggs during breeding. The female cichlid then incubates the eggs in her mouth until they become fry. As the catfish eggs hatch first, they then eat all the cichlid eggs and fry so that when they are released from the female cichlid's mouth, they are protected and cared for as if they are her own babies.

Native to Lake Tanganyika, Africa, they are a gregarious species, preferring to live in groups. Their substrate should be soft to prevent any damage to their delicate barbels. These are ideal companions to cichlids as they grow large enough to 'hold their own'. They should be kept with fish over 3cm to ensure they don't predate on their tank mates.

Maximum size: 15cm

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Temperature: 24-26 degrees celsius

Tank requirements: Filter & Oxygen, Heater

Tank Mates: Can live with peaceful and more rambunctious  species with no small fish.

Feeding: Good Quality Sinking Pellets