Taxonomy & naming
Lambert described Microsynodontis polli in 1958 from the Gbin River in Guinea. It is a member of Mochokidae, the squeakers and upside-down catfishes, and the genus name means small Synodontis. The Catalog of Fishes lists polli as valid. One store sells it as Microsynodontis cf. polli, which marks a Microsynodontis that has not been matched to the species, so aquarium fish carrying this label cannot be taken as polli.
Morphology
FishBase gives a maximum of 1.5 in TL. Microsynodontis species resemble tiny Synodontis, with branched barbels, an adipose fin and a strong dorsal spine. The epithet honours Max Poll, the Belgian ichthyologist of African fishes.
Habitat
FishBase says it is known only from the type locality in the Gbin River of the upper Niger basin in Guinea, and calls a report from the Saint John River questionable. It gives a temperature of 72–77 °F and a pH of 6.5 to 7.2.
Feeding
No diet is recorded for the species. Small mochokids take insect larvae and small crustaceans from the bottom and from under cover.
Mating
FishBase records distinct pairing during breeding.
Breeding
FishBase lists the species as oviparous. No spawning details beyond that are recorded.
In the aquarium
Keep it in a tank at 72–77 °F and pH 6.5 to 7.2, with caves, roots and gentle flow, among small peaceful fishes. At 1.5 in it is easily outcompeted, so feed sinking foods after dark. Treat the identity of any fish sold as cf. polli as open.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List carries Microsynodontis polli as Least Concern, assessed in November 2019. FishBase says it is known only from its type locality.