Mochokiella Paynei

Mochokiella paynei is a small catfish from the same family as Synodontis and the only member of its own genus. It looks like a miniature Synodontis: a light brown body, dark blotches and a marbled pattern. It comes from the soft-water, shaded streams of West Africa's coastal forests. Adults stay at 6–7 cm; it is a rarely available species sought after by enthusiasts.

• At least 60 liters for one to three individuals.
• Plenty of hiding places: small caves, root hollows, dried leaves.
• 22–26°C, pH 6.0–7.2, soft water; dim light and floating plants.
• Fine sand substrate and clean, well-oxygenated water.

Omnivorous. It eats small sinking tablets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Because it is shy, drop food near its hiding place after the lights go out.

Peaceful and extremely shy; it spends most of the day hiding. It can go hungry because of fast, greedy tankmates. It gets along with its own kind. Its scaleless skin is sensitive to medications.

Good companions: small, calm tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, West African killifish, corydoras.

Avoid: large and active fish, aggressive cichlids, large catfish that compete for food on the bottom.