Hi, just an introduction

Misty · Post by **Misty** » 03 Oct 2003, 17:18

Hello, just introducing myself. I'm Christina, 18 and doing a gap year where I'm supposed to be getting a job but not doing much about it!
I have been keeping fish for not even a year yet, so am a beginner.
I was advised by my lfs that the catfish they sold me was suitable for my 30 litre and a beginner and community tank (containing tiny cardinal tetra). This website helped me identify what he (Skabba) was - a Synodontis eupterus. Obviously I discovered quickly that he wouldn't be able to move if I kept him in the 30 litre so now he's in a 100 which he really loves. I've also learnt that when they are adults they eat small fish, so hopefully by the time Skabba gets to that stage my tetra will have lived their life and died a peaceful death!
I love the way he comes out, sweeping round the bottom showing the other fish (includig the poor, bullied loach) whos the boss. In his old, tiny tank, when I put flake food in he used to come up to the top and swim across the surface upside-down gobbling it all up before the surface feeders could!
I assume the reason that all of u are so catfish-crazy is because they all have great personalities and attractive features, but as yet I've only discovered one!

Post by **Silurus** » 03 Oct 2003, 17:21

I've also learnt that when they are adults they eat small fish

Actually, they leave small fish pretty much alone most of the time.

Misty · Post by **Misty** » 03 Oct 2003, 18:41

Thats good to know - thanks.
I was hoping that fact wasn't that true because 1) I got quite a lot of information and it only said that on one source that they eat little fish and 2) My Cardinal Tetra don't bother to move out of the way of Skabba and he/she doesn't touch them even though they could easily fit in his mouth. I couldn't see how he/she could change so dramatically in temperment when they become adult.

FatCat · Post by **FatCat** » 03 Oct 2003, 18:47

Welcome! Good fish to start out with. Very friendly and entertaining fish. You will find out everything you need to know to make him a very happy and healthy fish right here.

michelle56 · Post by **michelle56** » 14 Oct 2003, 02:41

I'am a beginer too, I haven't even had my tank for 3 months.

Misty · Post by **Misty** » 14 Oct 2003, 11:31

You seem to have some interesting fish to start out with as well. I've never even heard of a mosquito fish.

Post by **Silurus** » 14 Oct 2003, 11:43

I've never even heard of a mosquito fish.

They are duller versions of guppies (the females look like female guppies and the male just looks like a smaller version of the female with a gonopodium), and have a cosmopolitan distribution, thanks to introductions.

In case my description isn't enough, here's what they look like:

Misty · Post by **Misty** » 14 Oct 2003, 11:46

Why are they called mosquito fish?

Post by **Silurus** » 14 Oct 2003, 11:48

Because of their (supposed or otherwise) capability of eating mosquito larvae. This is the main reason why they are introduced in many places where they are not native (to control mosquito larvae).