Synodontis nigrita white - Catfish for Sale UK

The white form of Synodontis nigrita is a pale-bodied African catfish with the bold, busy character the genus is known for. Where the standard fish is dark, this colour variant is noticeably lighter, which makes its movements stand out against a planted or wood-filled backdrop.

This is a robust, sociable bottom dweller that can reach around 12 cm and live for a decade with good care. As an omnivore it is easy to feed, taking sinking foods, frozen items and prepared diets readily. It is rated as moderate care and semi-aggressive — confident rather than timid — so it needs space and tankmates that can hold their own.

Plan on a roomy aquarium of at least 150 litres with caves, wood and shaded areas where it can shelter by day before becoming more active toward evening. It prefers slightly cooler, moderately hard water within the ranges below, with a hardness band of 4 to 15 dGH and temperatures held between 21 and 26°C.

A common question is whether this catfish suits a community: it can, provided the other fish are robust enough not to be bullied or eaten, which is why the 150-litre minimum and medium-sized tankmates matter so much. With that space and good water it is a genuinely long-term resident, capable of living for around ten years.

Care requirements

• Adult size around 12 cm; lifespan up to 10 years
• Temperature 21–26°C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 4–15 dGH
• Minimum 150 litres; a bottom-dwelling, moderate-care species
• Omnivore — sinking and frozen foods accepted
• Semi-aggressive; can become territorial when breeding

Stocking guidance

Pair it with peaceful to semi-peaceful, medium-sized companions such as other robust African catfish, tetras, barbs, rainbowfish and non-aggressive cichlids of similar size. Avoid very small fish or fry, long-finned slow swimmers, highly aggressive territorial cichlids, tiny shrimp and invertebrates, and timid bottom dwellers that may lose out at feeding time. Because it can become territorial when breeding, give it enough caves and floor space that it can claim a patch without crowding its neighbours. Each white Synodontis nigrita ships with a licensed live-animal courier and our live arrival guarantee.