What type of spotted Syno is this?

[crashEHC]

I think my cat is a Synodontis nigrita, but I'm not positive. It's about 6-7 in long and you can see the patterning in the picture. Any help would be appreciated.

[Silurus]

Nope, it's a hybrid (unfortunately). The same one as this.

[crashEHC]

How can you tell? It does look like the same cat with the cat in the link you gave, but mine doesn't have the blunt head. I believe you, but what's the difference between my cat, the hybrid in the link, and the syno nigrita? I have a hard time differentiating cats and would like a bit of an education if you have the time.

Thanks,

[Richard B]

How can you tell? It does look like the same cat with the cat in the link you gave, but mine doesn't have the blunt head. I believe you, but what's the difference between my cat, the hybrid in the link, and the syno nigrita? I have a hard time differentiating cats and would like a bit of an education if you have the time.

Thanks,

general shape, colouration, pattern & finnage that doesn't match a known species, there is probably ocellifer somewhere in the parentage - experineced syno keepers can see a lot of hybrids easily although some are getting frightenly close to known species. Nigrita is stockier, with smaller spotting on the body

[crashEHC]

That's too bad. It was sold to us as a nigrita 9 months ago. Oh well, we like the fish and certainly aren't going to give it away now. Do you know if it will get along with a red tail shark? We're thinking about adding the RTS, but I wanted to confirm the syno's ID and research it's compatibility before I add it. Since it's a hybrid is it safe to say that I can't confirm the cat's particular behavior and/or ideal habitat? They would both be added to a 55g tank. Should I start a new thread?

Thanks for the ID.

[Richard B]

The syno is a tough fish generally - (yours has riverine species parentage so you could treat it as nigrita, ocellifer, robbianus etc)

red tailed sharks can be territorial but generally only to fish which are closely related, that it feels are in competition & if this was the case the syno could certainly hold it's own however i do not see a problem in a 55g - particularly of there are a number of hidey-holes, caves roots etc

[crashEHC]

Awesome. I appreciate the help.

[retroculus]

so hard to find true synodontis this days if they r from far east only God knows what they r
if you will be looking for pure breed Syno,you have to pay highier price,like £15-25 for S.multipunctatus in UK at 3-4inch
i used to had something like yours before
i will stay with opinion it's a hybrid too

regards

Tom