Synodontis Petricola “Pink” \u2013 Species Overview
\nOverview\u2028The Synodontis petricola “Pink”, also known as the Dwarf Cuckoo Catfish, is a striking variation of the standard Synodontis petricola. This small, peaceful catfish is well-loved for its unique pinkish coloration, active nature, and ability to thrive in community aquariums. It is a hardy and adaptable species, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
\nOrigin\u2028Native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, Synodontis petricola is naturally found in rocky environments with plenty of hiding spots. The “Pink” variation is a selectively bred form that retains the same behaviours and care requirements as the wild type.
\nFeeding\u2028Synodontis petricola “Pink” is an omnivore, consuming a varied diet of:
\nHigh-quality sinking pellets
\nFrozen and live foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia)
\nVegetable matter (blanched zucchini, cucumber, spirulina)
\nFlake food and algae wafers
\nA well-balanced diet will enhance their health and coloration.
\nTank Mates\u2028This species is peaceful and social, making it ideal for community tanks. Compatible tank mates include:
\nOther peaceful Tanganyikan cichlids (such as Altolamprologus and smaller Neolamprologus species)
\nOther Synodontis species
\nPeaceful tetras, barbs, or danios
\nBottom dwellers like Corydoras (in non-Tanganyikan setups)
\nAvoid aggressive or highly territorial species that may bully or outcompete them for food.
\nAggression\u2028Synodontis petricola “Pink” is generally non-aggressive, though they may show slight territorial behavior toward their own species, especially in confined spaces. Keeping them in small groups of 3-5 will help reduce stress and encourage natural behaviours.
\nExperience Level
\nBeginner to Intermediate
\nHardy and easy to care for, but requires stable water conditions typical of Lake Tanganyika biotopes.
\nWater Parameters
\nTemperature: 24\u201328\u00b0C (75\u201382\u00b0F)
\npH: 7.5\u20139.0 (slightly alkaline)
\nHardness: 10\u201320 dGH
\nTank Size: Minimum 20\u201330 gallons, but larger is better for groups
\nFiltration: Strong filtration with moderate water flow to maintain high oxygen levels and water clarity
\nFinal Thoughts\u2028The Synodontis petricola “Pink” is an excellent addition to a Tanganyikan or community aquarium, offering both beauty and interesting behaviours. Its adaptability and peaceful nature make it a great choice for aquarists looking to add an active bottom-dweller to their setup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Synodontis Petricola “Pink” \u2013 Species Overview Overview\u2028The Synodontis petricola “Pink”, also known as the Dwarf Cuckoo Catfish, is a striking variation of the standard Synodontis petricola. This small, peaceful catfish is well-loved for its unique pinkish coloration, active nature, and ability to thrive in community aquariums. It is a hardy and adaptable species, making it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":10167,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[72],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10168","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-synodontis","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/10168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=10168"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=10168"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=10168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}