Petricola Catfish

Petricola Catfish (Synodontis petricola)

A striking African catfish with a white body covered in bold black spots and distinctive feathered barbels, the Petricola is a hardy and characterful bottom-dweller from Lake Tanganyika. Active and mostly peaceful, it's a fantastic addition to African cichlid and larger community tanks.

Care at a Glance:

• Minimum Tank Size: 150L with rocks, caves, and open swimming space
• Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH Range: 7.5–9.0
• Water Hardness: Hard
• Temperament: Peaceful but active; can be territorial with own kind
• Diet: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, blackworms
• Max Size: 10–15cm
• Lifespan: 8–12+ years
• Care Level: Easy to moderate (needs hard, alkaline water)

Tank Mates: African cichlids (Tanganyikan or Malawi), medium community fish, and robust catfish; provide multiple caves if keeping more than one.

Origin: Lake Tanganyika, Africa — rocky shorelines