Dwarf Petricola Catfish (Synodontis petricola)

The Dwarf Petricola Catfish (Synodontis petricola) is a peaceful, endlessly active bottom-dweller from Lake Tanganyika and one of the easiest members of its genus to keep. Its jet-black body is dusted with crisp white spots and edged by tall, boldly striped fins, giving it a striking look that pops against light substrate. Social and outgoing when kept in groups, it is a perfect companion for a hard-water African cichlid community. Care level: intermediate. Temperament: peaceful.

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Care Guide

Petricola are hardy and undemanding once their water chemistry matches their Rift Lake home: hard, alkaline, and stable. They spend the day scavenging the sand and rockwork for food, becoming bolder and more entertaining the more of them you keep together. Provide a fine sand bed plus caves, crevices, and rock piles so each fish can claim a hiding spot.

• Keep in groups: best kept in groups of 3 or more; they are far more active and confident in a shoal.
• Aquascape: fine sand substrate with plenty of rock caves and overhangs.
• Hard, alkaline water: use a Rift Lake buffer and cichlid salt to hold pH and hardness steady.
• Diet: omnivore; feed sinking pellets, plus frozen or thawed bloodworms, mysis, and brine shrimp.

Specifications

Compatibility

An ideal member of a Rift Lake community. It occupies the bottom of the tank and leaves mid-water and surface fish alone. Pair it with other hard-water African cichlids and Tanganyikans such as the Brichardi Lyretail Cichlid and other African cichlids we stock. Avoid very small fish or shrimp that could be viewed as food, and skip soft-water community fish that will not tolerate the hard, alkaline water petricola need.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Xtreme Cichlid PeeWee Slow-Sinking Pellets for daily feeding
• Xtreme Wrigglers Krill Slow-Sinking Sticks for a protein-rich treat
• Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer to hold pH and KH
• Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Probiotic Salt for trace minerals and GH
• CaribSea African Cichlid Sand for a natural, buffering substrate

FAQ

How many should I keep? Keep a group of 3 or more. Petricola are social and will spend far more time out in the open when housed together.

Are they safe with African cichlids? Yes. Their tough, spiny fins and preference for the bottom make them a great fit for a Rift Lake cichlid tank.

Will they eat my other fish? No. They are peaceful scavengers, though anything small enough to fit in their mouth, like fry or tiny shrimp, may be eaten.

What water do they need? Hard, alkaline water around pH 7.5 to 8.5 kept warm and stable, just like their native Lake Tanganyika.