What is my catfish?

[James.feenan]

I am only new to here and can't find a intro section I am James from ireland and I only got into keeping fish over the last few months.
Can anyone tell me a bit of info on this catfish ? Need to know what the correct food. This one acts very like a Pleco and only feeding off the sides of my tank.

[Suckermouth]

Looks to be

Synodontis euptera

. Regardless, shrimp pellets are a good stable food for Synodontis (and many bottom feeders) these as they will sink to their level.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Welcome, mate! The name ofthe fish in purple above is a link to the data/care sheet for it. Read it and read such sheets on a few other sites too to get a basic idea.

The white "crumbs" on your fish concern me. I hope it is not what they call an ich - a parasitic infestation. Provide a few more good pics if you will.

[Suckermouth]

Victor raises a good point that I missed. Ich (white spot) is a common yet insidious disease in the aquarium world, so it looks like you may be getting a trial by fire as far as being a new fishkeeper. Your local aquarium store should have a proper ich medication.

[James.feenan]

Welcome, mate! The name ofthe fish in purple above is a link to the data/care sheet for it. Read it and read such sheets on a few other sites too to get a basic idea.

The white "crumbs" on your fish concern me. I hope it is not what they call an ich - a parasitic infestation. Provide a few more good pics if you will.

Thanks for the welcome I will get better Picts tomorrow the catfish has some white marks like scratch marks but the white in the pict above are bubbles from the water spraying off the glass from the filter. I am putting catfish pellets into the tank and the Pleco eats them never seen the catfish doing much apart from hiding I put a stone feature near the heater the catfish was up again it from the time I put it into the tank. Will I have to change the layout and put I a pipe or something for it to hide in?

[James.feenan]

Welcome, mate! The name ofthe fish in purple above is a link to the data/care sheet for it. Read it and read such sheets on a few other sites too to get a basic idea.

The white "crumbs" on your fish concern me. I hope it is not what they call an ich - a parasitic infestation. Provide a few more good pics if you will.

Thanks i am after having a small read and i got some good info straight away.
i also found out what some of the white marks are quote from the data sheet "Lots of rock caves and bogwood. Likes open spaces to patrol in the twilight / dark. Ensure the fish do not hide near a heater; they can burn themselves which leaves a nasty scar." i moved some stone which hides the heater and the catfish has moved away from this area.

[Viktor Jarikov]

JF: ...but the white in the pict above are bubbles from the water spraying off the glass from the filter.
VJ: That's good then. I was not sure - looked a bit unusual for the ich.

JF: I am putting catfish pellets into the tank and the Pleco eats them never seen the catfish doing much apart from hiding I put a stone feature near the heater the catfish was up again it from the time I put it into the tank. Will I have to change the layout and put I a pipe or something for it to hide in?
VJ: But you said it already has a hiding spot...? It needs a hiding spot to feel secure. As it adjusts to your new tank and water etc., it will become bolder and will venture out more in the day light, especially if it has some size to it, like more than 6". Usually, the older and bigger the fish, the bolder it is. I'd not use any tank light - room lights are enough. Most cats like dim tanks; otherwise they will hide as long as there is light and come out only at night. I'd not have any fish in the heater vicinity.

JF: ... i also found out what some of the white marks are quote from the data sheet "Lots of rock caves and bogwood. Likes open spaces to patrol in the twilight / dark. Ensure the fish do not hide near a heater; they can burn themselves which leaves a nasty scar." i moved some stone which hides the heater and the catfish has moved away from this area.
VJ: Good. Heater burns vary in appearance as a function of severity. If you snap a good pic, we may be able to tell if it is or not.

[James.feenan]

Vj first hiding spot was the heater and I was worried about it getting burns so I moved a ornament to hide the heater the catfish moved to a new spot which is dark all the time it is up by the side of the filter and its about 10 cm from the glass. Should I get a cave ornament ? I was also going to get wafers for the Pleco will the catfish eat them or should I get bloodworms ?

[Viktor Jarikov]

I see now. Silly me, I didn't get what happened before

Yeah, a hiding place is advisable, not absolutely necessary if the fish is an adult, but advisable. Plants, fake or real, driftwood, decorations, rocks, pipes, etc. can all serve this purpose.

This fish is really unfussy about what to eat. It will eat anything edible when it will have adjusted to the new tank and gotten hungry, so it makes sense to feed a cheap food but still balanced and of adequate quality, e.g., one can buy ok quality sinking catfish pellets as a staple food for ~$35 for a 45 pound bag (in the US), and once in a while offer something different - either a different pellet, or flakes, or a piece of fish/shrimp/etc., or a earthworm... Small variety will ensure it's nutrition is complete. It will probably steal some food meant for the tank mates and may refuse some of what you may offer - you know, the usual picture.

[James.feenan]

Thanks for the info what size will it grow to and it's in a 110 ltr tank for now with a Pleco and some other small fish, what size tank would be better I know the Pleco will grow Hugh, I am working on a big pond and hope to have it finished for the summer. That will be the home for my Pleco and some koi fish and goldfish .

[Viktor Jarikov]

The datasheet indicates the max size. For this fish ~9" SL (Standard Length, that is crudely without the tail fin).

[James.feenan]

The datasheet indicates the max size. For this fish ~9" SL (Standard Length, that is crudely without the tail fin).

Sorry I did see that after I asking the question. I must be bit on the slow side from working night shift . When I was doing a 15% water change I noticed the catfish snapping with some of its head out of the water it's the only fish that came to the top of the water. Is this strange behaviour when doing a water change? Would they bite if I had to move ornaments in the tank ? On some very rare occasions I put my hand in to fix them when the Pleco knocks them over or out of place.

[Viktor Jarikov]

I was wondering if you ever sleep

It does not sound normal, except I am not sure you mean by snapping here.

Synos have no bite, not really at all. One must respect and fear their huge, very sharp, serrated leading spines in the dorsal and pectorial fins. You do not want to get poked by those for sure. No venom or pain-causing substance on them but they are a formidable weapon. It will normally only use it when cornered or fighting for its life. It's hard to imagine it will come up to your hand with an intent to poke. It may happen if it is freaking out and flying around the tank or when you net and handle it.

[James.feenan]

The best way to describe if u blow into a dogs face they will snap there teeth that is what the catfish was doing when I was doing a water change I will try rec it next time it happens. Are they ok in the same tank with some small fish 4 zebra Danio 6 Penguin Tetra

[Viktor Jarikov]

I think I may know what you mean by snapping: the fish opens its gill covers and its mouth quickly and quickly closes? And it is on the surface and sometimes even a bit out of the water? That sounds like he may be quite uncomfortable during your water change (WC), maybe struggling to breath a bit. The basics of a WC is that the incoming water should be free of bad stuff (chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, other dangerous contaminants); should be the same temperature, ideally within 1 F, maybe 2; same pH, DH, KH or at least very close; should be well oxygenated.

It may be a sign of parasites, like gill flukes (and BTW ich too) but that would not be happening just during a WC.

In general, they can take a small tankmate that can easily fit in their (relatively small) mouth. I've never kept danios or tetras. I keep big fish.

[James.feenan]

Not great photos he keeps hiding and won't come out in the open for a photo.