The Synodontis Multipunctatus or Cuckoo Cat as it is also known is a wonderful addition to a tropical aquarium. Multipunctatus is endemic to lake Tanganyika in Africa, and this fish is better suited to an African cichlid set-up from either lake Tanganyika or lake Malawi, as the fish does extremely well with African cichlids, and it thrives with mouth-brooding cichlids, which it needs to raise its own fry.

The Synodontis Multipunctatus has very interesting breeding behaviour, as it uses mouth brooding cichlids as foster parents. This fish waits for mouthbrooding cichlids to drop their eggs (when the parent fish has to eat), and then swims over to her eggs and eats them, whilst dropping their own eggs. The cichlid will then pick up the catfish eggs and incubate them, along with whatever eggs of her own she was able to save, which is why this fish is sometimes known as the Cuckoo Cat. This behaviour occurs in captivity as well as in the wild, but is quite rare.

Excellent water conditions are needed to encourage breeding, and then you must successfully raise the fry.

Water chemistry should be hard alkaline, with pH between 7.5 - 8.5, with plenty of filtration and plenty of hiding places provided, as these fish love caves. They are slightly territorial towards their own species, but I have had no problems with the 3 which I have in a 4ft (300lt) aquarium, although they have not yet bred for me, but I may have 3 males or 3 females!

Expect to pay around £12 - 15 for a young Multipunctatus (2cm - 8cm), and up to £30 for healthy adult specimen (up to 14cm). Always look out for clean clear eyes, fins in good condition, no tiny white spots on its body and fins, and make sure the fish is swimming properly before you make your purchase. This fish is not readily available in all pet shops, but can usually be purchased from a reputable cichlid dealer.