Description
Synodontis Ocellifer is a peaceful bottom dwelling catfish with beautiful spots covering the body. Synodontis catfishes are members of the Mochicidae family, the group are commonly called Naked Catfish due to their lack of scalesand scutes. It is a great addition to a large community aquarium. They are reclusive during the day and are more active and feed in the evenings.
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Features of Synodontis Catfish:
- Flat bellies and a shark-like silhouette
- Grey to brown body with large spots
- Two pairs of fleshy barbels from the mouth
- Lacks scales
- Nocturnal species
- Care level: Easy
- Grows to 50cm
The Best Aquarium Size for Synodontis Catfish:
Synodontis Ocellifer catfish do well in a tank of 180L or larger. If keeping a community aquarium consider a larger aquarium.
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Tank Mate Compatibility:
Synodontis Ocellifer make great additions to Rift Lake Cichlid aquariums, and should be kept in groups of 4-5. This helps limit aggressive behavior. Avoid smaller fish it may eat, or large fish that may bully it.
Great tank mates include:
Diet:
Synodontis Ocellifer are omnivores and are not fussy eaters. They spend most of their time searching for food on the aquarium floor and will eat anything it finds. Feed a daily diet of sinking pellets and catfish wafers. Their diet can be supplemented with live, frozen or freeze dried bloodworms, blackworms, and brine shrimp.
Check out our extensive range of aquarium fish foods.
Synodontis Ocellifer catfish Tank Setup:
Aquarium Filtration for Synodontis Ocellifer
Synodontis catfish enjoy clean, well oxygenated water. Ensure your filter has an adequate flow rate for your aquarium size to effective remove waste and debris while offering good movement. For extra oxygenation, add an air pump.
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Plants for Synodontis Ocellifer
Synodontis catfish are known to dig and uproot aquarium plants. This species can be housed in a plant free fish tank. If keeping plants, use floating plants that provide shade for this nocturnal species.
Interested in live plants for your aquariums? Browse live plants here.
Decorations for Synodontis Ocellifer
Driftwood is excellent for Synodontis catfish as this provides lots of structure for the fish to hide in. Other decorations include caves and ornaments the fish can swim and hide in. Stack rocks and create the perfect hideaways.
After more nice quality decorations? Check our Aquarium Ornaments.
Aquarium Lighting for Synodontis Ocellifer
These fish enjoy lower light levels with lots of shade and dark spaces to hide. Dimmable LED lighting offers the ability to change to moonlight modes and encourage more activity.
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Aquarium Substrate for Synodontis Ocellifer
Aquarium sand is perfect for this species. As it is a bottom dweller it will spend its time on the aquarium floor searching through the substrate for food.
A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.
