Synodontis acanthomias now being tank-bred

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 29 Apr 2007, 15:20

I know you can't tell from this pic, but it's the real McCoy, not a hybrid.

synodont_fan · Post by **synodont_fan** » 02 May 2007, 16:52

According to the ScotCat fact sheet, acanthomias is very aggressive and grows quite large (12 inches plus in captivity, much larger in the wild).

I'm wondering what experiences people have had with this species and especially whether it behaves itself with other synodontid species in a large tank?

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 02 May 2007, 22:16

I've had little success in mixing acanthomias with each other or in a mixed riverine synodontis tank despite using tanks of various sizes. it is aggressive & does get large but makes a stunning addition to a tank of midwater fishes, large tetras, gouramies etc in a large display tank

Richard B

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 03 May 2007, 15:12

My original one is now about 25 cm SL and kept with two Synodontis schall (18 cm) and two S. notatus (15 cm).

It isn't very aggressive, only defensive of the cave it lives in. The schalls aren't too bad either. The notatus do sometimes fight with each other.

TP · Post by TP » 03 May 2007, 21:55

Mine is the same as Chrysichthys, it is about the same size and isn't aggressive unless another Syno goes near its hollow under the wood and then its out to chase/warn them away. Its never done any damage at all.

synodont_fan · Post by **synodont_fan** » 03 May 2007, 23:05

Thanks for the info. I turned down an acanthomias a few years ago due to fears that it wouldn't fit in with the rest of my flock.

S. schall has the reputation of being one of the most aggressive of the synodontids and acanthomias supposedly isn't far behind.

I have a large notatus (about 15 cm) and it is the most aggressive of any of my synodontids, even though I have a few individuals of other species that are as large or larger. It doesn't fight with anybody, but seems to have established itself at the top of the pecking order. It patrols the central area of the tank and controls the most desirable wooded areas, although it doesn't really hide, it seems to prefer to be out in the open. It tolerates some other synodontids (mostly intermediate sized) in its prime territory and allows them to hide in and around the large wood pieces, but has pushed the other large individuals off to the less desirable side areas (although they still have ample wood and hiding places).

I was just curious, as acanthomias seems to be more available now.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 04 May 2007, 15:06

The real rest will be what happens if I introduce the new acanthomias in with the bigger one. Right now I'm growing it up in a smaller tank.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 04 May 2007, 15:21

TP wrote:Its never done any damage at all

Neither has mine. It's very talkative, and it warns the others away by making noises.

mezzy · Post by **mezzy** » 29 May 2007, 13:20

I have found mine to be quite intollerant of any bottomfeeding fish so i now keep him in with malawis.
He ignores them but when he swims over the rocks its a special site [hes like a shark cruising a reef].The most difficult part is getting them out of the tanks because their gills have some really nasty spikes.Apart from that very undemanding and can be put in with nearly anything but really small fish.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 29 May 2007, 15:27

mezzy wrote:i now keep him in with malawis

I guess that makes him an honorary njassae.

mezzy · Post by **mezzy** » 29 May 2007, 16:07

I havent broke the news to him yet. His whole lifes been a lie.

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 29 May 2007, 17:39

BTW, we don't really have a lot of great pictures of this species. If you can get some decent ones, I'd be sure to use them...

Jools

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 30 May 2007, 14:37

I'll see if I can get a pic of the little one. The big one is harder because its tank is a maze of bogwood (and the water is the colour of Coca-Cola from tannins).