Are Cuckoo Catfish Schooling Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Temperament: Cuckoo catfish are semi-aggressive and do best in schools of five or more to diffuse that aggression. The Cuckoo catfish is

generally peaceful in schools

, but can hold its own with rift-lake catfish and most cichlids. It will most likely eat very small tank mates.

What does cuckoo catfish eat?

They will eat a wide range of food from

Algae wafers and catfish pellets to bloodworm and prawns

. When they become adults be wary of keeping them with smaller fish such as Neon / cardinal tetras as these can easily become food for the Cuckoos.

How big does a cuckoo catfish get?

Synodontis multipunctatus, also known as the cuckoo catfish, cuckoo squeaker, or multipunk, is a small catfish from Lake Tanganyika, one of the lakes in the Great Rift Valley system in Africa. It is a brood parasite upon mouthbrooding cichlids. This species grows to a length of

27.5 centimetres (10.8 in) TL

.

Are cuckoo catfish nocturnal?

The Cuckoo Catfish is

primarily nocturnal

, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places. The Cuckoo Catfish is generally peaceful and is compatible with most fish that are too large to be considered prey.

Are Upside Down Catfish schooling fish?

The upside-down catfish is

a peaceful, schooling fish

that grows to about 4 inches in length and is ideally suited for a community tank with other species of a similar temperament.

Are Corydoras schooling fish?


If aquarium size permits, Cory Catfish school in groups of six or more

. Cory Catfish schooling behavior is a pretty interesting thing to see as the fish move throughout the tank synced like a precision dance ensemble.

Are cuckoo catfish aggressive?

Temperament: Cuckoo catfish are

semi-aggressive

and do best in schools of five or more to diffuse that aggression. The Cuckoo catfish is generally peaceful in schools, but can hold its own with rift-lake catfish and most cichlids.

How long does a cuckoo catfish live?

The average lifespan of cuckoo catfish is

15 years

in an artificial breeding setup, for instance, a tank or aquarium.

Will cichlids eat catfish?

Like the dwarf cichlids, they are generally peaceful, sometimes to the point of shyness. However,

they will eat smaller fish like small tetras and cory catfish

.

Where are cuckoo catfish from?

The fish, which take their name from the birds that drop their eggs in the nests of other species—cuckoos—are native to

Lake Tanganyika in east central Africa

. In these waters, the cuckoo catfish and the cichlids pursue diametrically opposed mating and child-rearing strategies.

What is the smallest synodontis?

The

Pygmy Synodontis (Synodontis petricola)

is one of the smallest Synodontis, reaching 5 inches in length although they are much smaller at the time of purchase, sometimes under an inch in length. Choose tankmates carefully for this small species.

How big do bumblebee catfish get?

At a typical adult size of

6 inches (15 cm)

, it is a perfect bottom dweller for the medium to large aquarium and it is an excellent tankmate for most other fish that are too large to be considered prey. The Asian Bumblebee Catfish is generally peaceful, although it can be territorial with other bottom dwellers.

How big do aquarium catfish get?

When fully grown, Glass Catfish are usually

4 to 6 inches long

. You will need a larger tank to keep them happy. At the very least, they require a 30-gallon tank. However, bigger is always better with this fish.

How big do leopard catfish get?

Adults are large and colorful, with a color pattern similar to that of another large pimelodid catfish, Leiarius marmoratus. Size:

To over 62 cm SL

. Native Range: Tropical America.

Are synodontis catfish nocturnal?


Synodontis are nocturnal

, so you won’t see them out too much during the day, and you should provide them cover to sleep under. Fake logs or a rock cave are perfect for this. Also ensure that there is more than one hiding spot per tank.

How big do Burmese upside-down catfish get?

This Rare catfish is small 1 inch in size and can grow to be about

10 inches

when fully matured.

What fish can you put with catfish?

Corydoras Catfish Companions

They are good for small aquariums and tanks filled with schooling fish, such as

guppies, platys and mollies

. They can also coexist peacefully with goldfish, but may compete for food; extra food may be required.

What fish can live with catfish in a tank?

  • Catfish.
  • Corys.
  • Danios.
  • Gouramis.
  • Guppies.
  • Loaches.
  • Mollies.
  • Platies.

What is the hardiest cory catfish?

1.

Sterbai cory (Corydoras sterbai)

In terms of popularity, this is the cory that everyone gravitates towards because of their famous polka-dotted, striped pattern and orange fins. They are great tank mates for most community aquariums and are often kept with discus because of their tolerance for higher temperatures.

Do different types of cory catfish school together?


They will, but not always

. I have kept groups of bronze, panda, shwartzei, skunk, virginiae, emerald and albino together and they would often school together. The also hung out in little groups (not all of the same type) that were often together.

Can I have only 2 cory catfish?

Well,

two Cory catfish is not enough

.

They can survive in an aquarium easily even if you keep only two of them together. But they will feel more secure and happy by staying in a larger group of six or more. Moreover, if the species of the two cory catfish are not the same, they won’t even move around comfortably.

What do you feed Sun catfish?

Feeds on

smaller fish, invertebrates and plant matter in nature

, although thankfully there is no need to offer live ‘feeder’ fish in the aquarium. Most specimens are easy to feed, accepting a wide range of dried and meaty frozen foods. Feed a mixture of dried pellets as well as frozen prawns, mussels, earthworms etc.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.