Comments: a nice young premium quality Synodontis Flavitaeniatus swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
This catfish is rarely see in live fish stores or other online stores.
Premium Fish like this catfish are more energetic, more hardy, and more colorful than fish from other sources.
Click here for more about our Premium Pet Fish.
Origin: This catfish's ancestors lived in the Congo River area of Pool Malebo in Africa, but this fish was born and raised on a famous fish farm.
Maximum Size: In aquariums, this catfish often grows to be about 6" long, but they live many years and continue to grow their entire lives.
So an old Flavitaeniatus can be longer than 7".
Behaviors: They usually hide when the lights are on, but they will quickly come out, when food is offered to them.
If netted out of the water, like many Synodontis catfish, they'll usually make a squeaking sound in the net, and so Synodontis Catfish are often called Squeakers.
They'll quarrel mildly with other Squeaker Catfish, but otherwise they're not aggressive.
Like most catfish they will eat any fish that fits into their mouths.
Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include other African fish like Buttikoferi, Jewel Cichlids, Elephant Noses, Baby Whales, etc.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: this Catfish can live pretty well from about 70 to 80 degrees F., but they're probably most comfortable from about 75 to 78 degrees F.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets. Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: this catfish tolerates of a wide range of water conditions.
Probably a pH of from 7 to 8 with moderate hardness is best.
Most water in the US has a higher pH and is harder but seems to be OK, so it's probably best NOT to adjust the pH or the hardness of the water.
Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.
Aquarium Size: When less than 3" long they can live in 30-gallon aquarium, but when fed well, they'll soon need a larger aquarium.
For example an aquarium with 100-gallons of water, when they're full-grown.
Decor: these catfish do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live Plants: are beautiful, improve the water quality, but will be bulldozed out of the way by these catfish, as they search the bottom for food.
Click here for more about aquarium plants.
Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.
A Penguin 200B Filter in an aquarium with 30-gallons is OK, when these catfish are under 3".
But eventually they'll need to live in an aquarium with at least 150-gallons of water and 2 or 3-Penguin 350B Filters.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.
Life Span: this catfish can live for several years, maybe many years with excellent care, including excellent water and premium fish foods.
Gender: As they mature, the females will fill with eggs and get plumper. But it's usually not easy to see.
Breeding: there are no reports of this catfish being spawned in an aquarium.
But fish farmers use injections of hormones to trigger spawning, and now large numbers of these catfish are produced.
Popularity: an incredibly nice catfish that is expensive but rather popular.
Names: The scientific name is Synodontis flavitaeniatus, but it has also been called flavitaenata, which is apparently incorrect now. Synodontis is a masculine word.
Variations: There are no variations known to us.
Click here for more information about Synodontis Catfish.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
DrTom - 08/07/2015
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.