synodontis eupterus

[andywoolloo]

Just a quick question.

My baby eupterus seem to really crave meat. Shrimp, bloodworms, beefheart, canivore pellets.

They don't seem to care for the Hikari sinking wafers or the Omega One veggie rounds. I ordered some Nutrafin Max(also what do u all think of that brand?)sinking complete food tablets. They like those but again it's 44% protein.

Are they o.k. on a high protein diet? I don't want them to have any issues, like kidney issues? I want to feed them right.

[Birger]

This diet will be fine, especially with the initial growth spurt....with this tank to themselves, you should see some really fast growth.
In the wild as fish get bigger, diets change due to size,availability or a change of environment but a high protein diet for these fish at a young age is a good thing IMO.
Keep a variety like you have been doing,you may find their taste will change
Myself I am not big on beefheart (for my fish)


Birger

[andywoolloo]

I can def stop the beefheart, not a prob.

they push the green beans around, a little interested as toys. I will continue to try them and I will try a zuchinni tonight.

they are def growing. Thank you very much.

p.s. they're tank finished cycling yesterday!

A 0
NI 0
NA 0- 5 ppm more like maybe 2. ppm
PH 7.0



p.p.s I had used media from their 10 gal and sand and decorations and plants etc is why. Plus Bio Spira.
Also what food store food does everyone feed theirs? As in fresh fish etc?

[andywoolloo]

another question:

my pump on the 75 is an eheim ecco 2236 canister filter. On the box showed for 80 gal tank. It turns 185 gph.

So i was worried it isn't turning at least three times an hour the total gallons so I got a baby powerhead. One that does 400 gph? It's a hydor koralia 1.

**eta** this was my real question, sorry:

where should I put it in the tank? Like 1/3 way down or what and also if I have the filter intake tube on the left hand back bottom and the one that pushes in on the right hand side top where should this powerhead go? thank you for reading.

o.k. I have it on the left side wall towards the middle back pointing back to bounce off the back wall? LOL I have no idea what I am doing.

[andywoolloo]

is it ok to feed them krill? they seem to like it?

Also how will I ever know if they get sick, they are very elusive, maybe I need a diff light on the tank?

Is there a better light I should buy, more quieter for them?? What's acintic?

[Birger]

On the box showed for 80 gal tank. It turns 185 gph.

Just to give you an idea of what I use....on a 72 gal(quite a few fish though)I have 2 aquaclears each rated at up to 500 GPH as well as a large canister filter,not saying you should have this much...but you may have to add more in the future.

o.k. I have it on the left side wall towards the middle back pointing back to bounce off the back wall? LOL I have no idea what I am doing.

The basic idea of using the powerhead for this is to get exchange of gases at the surface,so you want the water to be circulating back up to the surface where this exchange can take place.

Also how will I ever know if they get sick, they are very elusive, maybe I need a diff light on the tank?

They will get used to you but that will take a while, earlier I suggested more fish in the tank one of the reasons for this is with a few more active schoaling fish swimming above they can feel more at ease....if they see other fish out and about they will feel more comfortable to come out themselves.

Birger
Oh...I don't see anything wrong with feeding krill

[andywoolloo]

thank you Birger.

Can you tell me what kind of other fish? Like mbuna s or haps? Is that what you mean?

And I would like some that won't hurt the synos. That won't attack them or hurt their eyes. I am kinda afraid of that. And some that won't eat all their food?

I knew that eheim was too small. Damn it was expensive too. Even if I got another same one that's still only turning 370. I will have to get another bigger one I think. And then I will have all sorts of intakes and outakes everywhere. Holy moley. I am such a newbie.

I originally wanted to do a cichlid syno tank but all the rocks and layouts... I will try.

Or before you said congo tetra. Are there lots of fish that go with synos?

[Birger]

Can you tell me what kind of other fish? Like mbuna s or haps? Is that what you mean?

I would go with fish that fit into the west african scenario instead of using cichlids from the east african rift lakes, your cats would probably get along but there is a danger to themselves as you said also the water conditions in a rift tank are not ideal.
As mentioned Phenacogrammus interruptus(congo tetra) are a active showy fish that would go well,they are continuously trying to spawn and go through spurts where the males run back and forth across the tank...it is quite a sight, 10 or 12 of these would work.
You could go with

Pareutropius buffei

it is an active schoaling catfish (an all catfish tank is cool)that is fairly easy to care for as long as the competition is not to strong and they are kept as a group,I would go at least 10, but even up to twenty in a tank like this,they also would not get as large as the fish above.
Just this week I was looking at some Puntius fasciolatus thinking I sure need some of these..... I have never kept them but they may go well also.
You could still put in a pair of cichlids but pick from one of the many west african varieties,there is usually some around but needs a little research on your part to make sure that is what you get and make sure it is not something that will totally take over the tank,I would recommend sticking to one of the smaller varieties,just google "west african cichlid "you will get lots of info.
It is probaly most important to keep it simple for now, a school of fish above maybe also a pair of cichlids or you could add more syno's instead of the cichlids remember they do have to grow as well..... it is easy to get carried away and get more and more fish.

I knew that eheim was too small. Damn it was expensive too. Even if I got another same one that's still only turning 370.

Don't rush out just to change it, you are okay for now just keep an eye on things and it will give you time to figure out what you want and if you really need to,you are doing the best thing right now...a little research first

Birger

[andywoolloo]

Thank you.

I didn't know that mbuna and haps were the wrong ones for Syno eupterus, or a different area of africa then my cats. Thank you.

I have never seen the Pareutropius buffei anywhere ever! they are neat! I would def get some of those! And you say I could have quite a few. That would prob make my cats feel safe?

And the Puntius fasciolatus, is this just a tiger barb? or a specfic tiger barb? Cuase we have lots of tiger barbs avail here?

I will wait on the filter, all seems well, they like the powerhead I think so far. I think I will concentrate on re aqua scaping their tank in hopes of getting them to come out during the day. I am ok with them not coming out during the day. I just wish I could buy a special hood light so I can at least see them at night with out shining a flashlight at them , as they really do not like this and freeze like statues.

This morning I was stealth mode up to the tank side and saw Cort right there. He looked at me then wiggled his whisks and came closer and then went sideways back and forth in front of me before darting off and hiding.

it was definitely a highlight for me. They are getting bigger and changing colour pattern. I seem to have three which are more bigger then one. Maybe I have 3 girls and one boy? Boy won't he get tired.

I just want to do what's right for them, and would only get more fish for that tank if it benefited them.

If anyone has some good pics of some cool syno tank layouts I would certainly love to see a picture of what I am suppossed to be doing as far as interior of their tank.

I need to take a pic and show u guys their tank so far but it's not professional like all ur tanks I am sure, but I am trying to make them happy.

**eta** ok these are way cool!! Pareutropius buffei

[Birger]

I have never seen the Pareutropius buffei anywhere ever! they are neat! I would def get some of those!

They are not that uncommon, usually sold under the name Debauwi Catfish, here I could probably go find some today if I needed to.

And the Puntius fasciolatus, is this just a tiger barb? or a specfic tiger barb? Cuase we have lots of tiger barbs avail here?

This is an african barb also called Angolan Barb,the more I look this one up the more confused I get as to the proper name...I do not think as common to find,most of the barbs are asian.
Some of the various Asian barbs would go well together with your syno's ...tiger barbs are always a good choice(natural colored ones not the made up ones)....some of the barbs get large so make sure you know what you are getting before bringing it home.

I am still pushing for the congo tetra as both them and the eupterus have naturally long fins.....
I would have switched them out long ago but everyone loves them in my display tank

If anyone has some good pics of some cool syno tank layouts I would certainly love to see a picture of what I am suppossed to be doing as far as interior of their tank.

I am not a very good photographer but I will see what I can find but I use large flat stones stacked for caves,lots of woodwork and easy to care for low light plants

Birger

[Carp37]

I am not a very good photographer but I will see what I can find but I use large flat stones stacked for caves,lots of woodwork and easy to care for low light plants

Birger

Your pictures on the Catelog of Synodontis schoutedeni are pretty high quality Birger- don't sell yourself short

[andywoolloo]

o.k. today was my take everything out that's not real, except fish, and REALLY clean the sand day.

I first cleaned the top, then stirred it then let settle then cleaned the top again.

I rearranged some stuff and it looks a bit better. I will try to take a pic.

I could actually see the synos thru out this, all of their bodies, first time since I brought them home from pet store. One has a white mark on his nose. Like he scraped or fought? The heater doesn't seem like it can burn them I can touch it and it's just warm? I haven't seen a heater guard anywhere to by on line or at local stores?

They are pretty much biggest, bigger, big and almost big, in size.

Well the last two I got Cort and Ben were bigger then Max and Jack probably by an inch.

They seemed mad at me for cleaning and huddled all together.

O.k. now the wierd part. Two alive small "things" in the tank are now in a cup. They look like little teeny weenie maybe praymantises?? About 1/4 inch long? what the heck are they! One is green and one is brownish and they are most certainly alive and they have 4 legs each!!! Should I be concernded about this?

[andywoolloo]

I just wanted to let you all know and see if this is normal cause it's so cute!

All the bigger eupterus's seem to be being very nice to the smallest one, the newest one. I mean all of mine are still babies, but the newest one is quite the smallest wee one.

They all let him share cubbies and hiding spots when he comes in with them and they don't, that I have seen, kick him out!

And when he gets freaked out when I clean the sand he hides behind the biggest one and the biggest one lets him. I was kinda surprised. And lots of times they are all together.

I got blue led lights, thanks to Birger's advice, for to see them sometimes at night and I can still not really see them but at least their silhouettes. Which is awesome! Their big fins on top look awesome in the blue light! I only have them on when I want a peek and they don't seem to mind them at all. Should I leave them on for awhile after their main lights go off for the day? or just leave them dark when their day light goes off? I always leave the closet light on for them which gives a bit of soft light to their tank, not much, just enough so they don't bump into the sides of the tank.

Also I tried soaking thier zuchinni and cucumber in Garlic Guard by Seachem, nada. They are so all about the meat. They do nibble on the green beans tho. O.k. I will stop boring you.

p.s. my question , i knew i had one, lol, i bought a piece of malaysian driftwood, i have boiled it and now its soaking in a bucket. Do I need to be concerned of this affecting my PH when I put it in?

[andywoolloo]

k i came home from the fish store with a big box full of slate, stones and driftwood.

[andywoolloo]

these catfish grow fast! I need to take some pics for u all. And their lines have turned into pretty spots on a lighter background. Cept for the wee baby, still black and zebra like. I love these fish the best!

[andywoolloo]

ok during the day I have 3 now that go into hidey caves and overhangs, one continuall under heater, thank god for the heater guard, one continually between the intake tubes. Just during the day.

The only thing different is I moved their temp from 78 to 76 a week ago, and their furniture is a bit different since I last stirred their sand but not alot, I mean I tried to put it back exactly where it was.

They are all 5 healthy and eating and growing. No unusual marks on them.

I have a box in my living room full of driftwood and slate and rocks and stones.

In their tank now is a gray huge bridge with 3 arch way underhangs, one syno took that whole thing. Then there are two rock like ledges with overhangs, one has taken one and the other sits empty? Used to be both of those were always occupied. Then there is a big cave which my biggest syno has been in since i added it to the tank. So i thought I had 6 hidey spots counting the archways in the bridge and really i have 4 and one no one uses.

I am so confused! Maybe they feel too big for the rock overhang? Cause they are, their bodies com eout each side, even the guy in the bridge, he sticks out and or curls his back fin when he hangs straight.

I am frustrated. I am beginning to think even my slate and rocks i have cillected so far won't be big enough for them to hide in. I am tempted to just do the driftwood and black pvc pipes, with silicon on and then rolled in their sand to make them look more natural.

I wish I could make like a pvc black pipe condo thing with like 5 on one and 5 on another, like 5 sealed together someone like a pyramid maybe and 5 together on other end. That's 10 and then there is only 5 fish so they could def all have a place?

I wish i had gotten a 120 or 150 gal tank.

I feel bad one is under heater and one is in between intake valves.

I have not had time to attempt anything in the box full of rock slate and driftwood yet, but most of the driftwood has been boiled and or dishwashered and soaked in buckets.

[andywoolloo]

ok all driftwood boiled scrubbed soaked, same with slate and rocks.

if the driftwood isn't leaking any tannins into the buckets does that mean it won't affect the PH of the tank? Or do I need to add some crushed coral or something to off set that?

Also does varies driftwood in the syno tank constitute "hiding" places for them or do I still need to make sure they have each a hiding spot seperate from the driftwood? Do I need to make 5 slate rock caves or can I do the PVC silcon roll in sand or gravel things?

I think i need a bigger tank! I have way too much driftwood and slate and rocks and none of it is in the tank yet! lol

[Richard B]

A hiding place for synos can be driftwood, rock, pvc pipe, flowerpot- you name it.

I always prefer to have more hiding places than fish to occupy them as it gives a greater degree of contentment to the fish

[andywoolloo]

thank you! I added frog bit to their tank and I bought 5 java ferns, all the store had, to attach to driftwood and 2 huge anubias bateri nana or something. I have one in my betta girls tank and it s hardy and has huge leaves, the synos have already been sticking to the bottom of the leaves.

[andywoolloo]

ok today I added 5 pieces of the driftwood with the java ferns attached. All fake plants are out of tank and replaced with real.

They have more swimming area now. I boiled all the pieces I put in , they are all medium sized. After I boiled them I put them in the dishwasher, then I dried them outside in sun for days, then I scrubbed them and sanded them. Then I soaked them again. I know I am a bit much.

Alright so then now in the tank is 5 driftwoods I think, I am at work and did it before I left, with plants attached and lots of other live plants some have been there, amazon swords, some not, anubias bateri large leaf ones. Also I left in three of their prior caves. I also added the smooth river rocks. I added them like around plants and stuff.

All my catfish were not too happy when their tank was empty, as I cleaned the sand and did their water change. Well since i had everything out I figured I d add some driftwood. Each piece is big enough with lots of places to go for each one.

When I was done I fed them and when I came back 30 mins later all food was gone, the biggest one was in his cave i had left in there, one small one was under a leaf of an anubias and 3 were fighting under the heater. SIGH

Everytime I try to improve their tank they get mad and sulk and fight. I feel like I am trying to make it better and more natural for them but I am not sure what they think.

I still have slate caves to build and add and more rock caves, and more driftwood. If it fits. I am concerned about leaving them free space to swim. Also now it's kinda a low landscape, all low and level across.. Maybe when I add the gigantic piece of driftwood that is tall with branches out on all sides it wil look less flat?

Also can I feed them squid? Hikari frozen squid?

I guess I just need aquascaping help.

[andywoolloo]

I can't believe how boring my orginal titled post was, synodontis eupterus.

I thought I'd put updated pics of my synos on my orig thread. I think I got one of them all but I am not sure.

I said I'd post some pics cause I thought they were to chubby and had put them on a diet. Along with Rex the common who shares their tank.

This is Max, he is in charge of all the synos in the tank and he is the biggest, belly wise. And what are the white things in his picture? is it pleco poo or planaria? Holy cow!! I don't see it in the other pics? Hmmm..I clean Rex's poo every morning?



I think this is Johnny, the smallest and youngest



This I am pretty sure is Jack, his front dorsal ting has always been the biggest



I am not sure on these as far as names, they all kept coming over. I have Jack, Max, Cort, Ben and Johnny







my common came around the corner to see what was up



someone upside down checking out bottom of heater guard



someone comign up front

[Birger]

They look to be in great shape...yes a little stout, but what I like is no wounds, marks or torn fins from being kept with a mix of cichlids like a lot of (not all) the ones we see, maybe a few syno scratches but thats it, good job.

Birger

[andywoolloo]

thanks , I will try to get better pics, or a better camara or maybe a video. No, they don't have bite marks or nothing. They seem to be fine, there is some chasing at times, mostly when I do the water changes. They get really excited the lower the water gets and I only take it down half.

So a bit stout. Like Rex. I now feed the synos every other day, it's been about a month now maybe maybe a few weeks. Rex eats every day but less. Rex seems to want/need to eat continually? is that normal? And he has started digging big holes...I will come home from work and see bare tank bottom.

I was worried at first how he would get along with them. They are fine. He got all whiskered up when he first went in but that's it. They seem intrigued by him when he is on the glass and the yare interested in his food but that's about it.

[Birger]

So a bit stout. Like Rex. I now feed the synos every other day, it's been about a month now maybe maybe a few weeks. Rex eats every day but less. Rex seems to want/need to eat continually? is that normal? And he has started digging big holes...I will come home from work and see bare tank bottom.

I would think the filters would thank you if they could, a little less for them to deal with.

I think pleco's generally are grazers and pick up bits here and there in the wild so have to graze continuously....it would be a rare occasion to find a pile of goodies waiting just for them, which happen in our tanks on a regular basis.

Birger

[andywoolloo]

I would think the filters would thank you if they could, a little less for them to deal with.

I just thought my filters sucked. I do have to clean the hoses and actual canisters alot less now.

[Martin S]

I got blue led lights, thanks to Birger's advice, for to see them sometimes at night and I can still not really see them but at least their silhouettes. Which is awesome! Their big fins on top look awesome in the blue light! I only have them on when I want a peek and they don't seem to mind them at all. Should I leave them on for awhile after their main lights go off for the day? or just leave them dark when their day light goes off?

Hi
Do you have the main lights on a timer? If so, I'd suggest getting another timer for the blue LED ones and setting thrm to come on about 30-45 minutes before the main lights go off, and then off an hour or more after...depending how much time you get to spend watching them.
HTH
Martin

[andywoolloo]

thanks Martin. I do not need the blue leds anymore on that tank tho. The synos are out all the time. And come to the front when I walk over and kneel down.

I have been using them on the King Tiger tank tho and I will def try your timing suggestion. Thanks!