Malawi Squeaker

Synodontis njassae is a catfish endemic to Lake Malawi, which makes it a natural bottom companion for Malawi cichlid aquariums. Its pale gray-beige body is covered with dark brown spots. Adults reach about 15 cm. It lives along the lake's rocky and sandy shores; during the day it hides between stones, and at night it forages on the bottom.

• At least 200 liters and 120 cm of length for a group of 3–5.
• Caves made from rock piles, with open sandy areas between them.
• 24–27°C, pH 7.6–8.5, hard water; the same values as a Malawi aquarium.
• Strong filtration and a 25–30% water change every week.

Omnivorous. Offer sinking granules and tablets, spirulina tablets, frozen bloodworms and mysis. When it is kept with fast-eating mbuna, give an extra feeding after the lights go out.

Peaceful but tough enough to hold its own in the busy environment of mbuna. It is bolder in a group and can be seen during the day too. There are brief scuffles among them over caves. It eats eggs, fry and dwarf shrimp.

Good companions: Malawi mbuna, Aulonocara, haplochromines, Tanganyika Synodontis.

Avoid: species that need soft, acidic water, dwarf shrimp.