"Real" Syno decorus or hybrid?

[ranmasan]

Hi All,
A visiting friend was admiring my tank when he noticed my S. decorus -- he also has one at home and he says that his looks slightly different from mine -- he thinks that mine may be a hybrid. I've always believed otherwise, but is this true? Since my "little" (bought him at 1.5" and is now approximately 8") guy is very shy and rarely leaves his driftwood hollow, I had to snap this pic during a late night feeding session. Will still love him either way: just curious. Thanks in advance

[Yann]

Hi!!

I am no Syno expert but looking at the image in the gallery

Synodontis decora

, looks like your is the real deal!!
Cheers
Yann

[sidguppy]

agreed

headshape is correct: check
stripey tail: check
dorsal filament; check
spotted body; check
massive size; check

it's a goodlooking beastie too!

[ranmasan]

Yay!! I love my "little" guy and my friend came off as a bit insulting, so it's nice to know that I was right! Thanks so much for the quick reply, Yann!

[Richard B]

Your fish in the pic is about 'true' as decora gets.

Let's put it another way...why does your fish differ from your friends? Can you get a pic of his fish?

[ranmasan]

it's a goodlooking beastie too!

Thanks, sidguppy! I think he's quite handsome, too (even without my natural bias, lol)!

[ranmasan]

Let's put it another way...why does your fish differ from your friends? Can you get a pic of his fish?

Hi Richard B, I told my friend that my guy is the "real deal" .
I did ask if he wanted me to submit a pic of his Syno, but he declined. He's happy with his fish and he doesn't want to know if it turns out to be a hybrid, so I'm happy to leave him be.

[Richard B]

Let's put it another way...why does your fish differ from your friends? Can you get a pic of his fish?

Hi Richard B, I told my friend that my guy is the "real deal" .
I did ask if he wanted me to submit a pic of his Syno, but he declined. He's happy with his fish and he doesn't want to know if it turns out to be a hybrid, so I'm happy to leave him be.

Fair enough! These things always intrigue me so i'd love to know but if he don't wanna play then bad luck for me

Decora can be quite variable at times & then there is the hybrid issue but your friends fish may well also be genuine.

if memory serves me well there originally was a variant described as vittata(? or something) with a horizontal striping pattern but i've never seen anything like that imported.