Feather fin cat fish ( 1 fish)

The Featherfin Catfish (Synodontis eupterus) is a popular freshwater aquarium fish known for its elegant fin shape and peaceful nature. It belongs to the Mochokidae family, often called “upside-down catfish” because many species swim belly-up.

🐟 Key Features

• Appearance:

  • Silvery to gray-brown body with darker mottled or spotted patterns.

  • Large, sail-like dorsal fin with feathered edges (its signature feature).

  • Long whisker-like barbels around the mouth for sensing food.

• Size: Can grow up to 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) in captivity.

• Lifespan: Around 10–15 years with proper care.

🌿 Habitat & Behavior

• Origin: Native to Africa, especially the White Nile and Chad Basin.

• Behavior:

  • Mostly nocturnal, active during the night.

  • Peaceful bottom-dweller but can defend itself if harassed.

  • Sometimes swims upside-down like other Synodontis species.

🐠 Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: Minimum 50 gallons for adults.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

  • pH: 6.5–7.5

  • Moderate water hardness.

• Diet: Omnivorous – eats sinking pellets, algae wafers, bloodworms, shrimp, and vegetable matter.

• Tank Setup:

  • Needs hiding spots (driftwood, caves, rocks).

  • Moderate water flow and clean, well-oxygenated water.

  • Substrate: smooth gravel or sand to protect barbels.

✅ Compatibility

• Generally peaceful, can be kept in a community tank with similarly sized fish.

• Avoid keeping with very small fish (they may get eaten).

• Works well with cichlids, larger tetras, barbs, gouramis, and other medium-to-large species.