Lake Malawi Syno
Siluriformes sp.
The Lake Malawi Syno (Siluriformes sp.) is a peaceful fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons), water held at 73-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.8.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Mostly South America / Africa
- South America
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Lake Malawi Syno Tank Setup
Plan for at least 150 litres (40 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 73-82°F with a pH around 6-7.8. They reach about 19 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Lake Malawi Synos Eat?
They're bottom feeders, so give them sinking wafers, tablets, or frozen treats like bloodworm once the lights go down. Flakes that never reach the bottom leave them hungry even when the tank looks well-fed.
Lake Malawi Syno Tank Mates
The Lake Malawi Syno is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Lake Malawi Synos Good for Beginners?
Reasonable early choice after cycling. Buy after the tank has stable ammonia and nitrite readings, not the same weekend you fill it.
Lake Malawi Syno - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Lake Malawi Synos need?
Lake Malawi Synos need a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Lake Malawi Synos need?
Keep them at 73-82°F with a pH of 6-7.8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Lake Malawi Synos eat?
Lake Malawi Synos are bottom feeders. Give them sinking wafers, tablets, and frozen foods that settle on the substrate, ideally after the lights go off. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Lake Malawi Synos good for beginners?
Yes - Lake Malawi Synos are a reasonable beginner fish once the tank is cycled and parameters are stable. Add them after ammonia and nitrite read 0 ppm, not the same day you fill the tank.
Common mistakes with Lake Malawi Synos
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 150 litres (40 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Lake Malawi Synos
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
