Barfin Synodontis

[Phalsh]

I recently got hold of a barfin (after being mis-sold one by my LFS) and I can find nothing about this guy past the really basic info. Are these particularly rare or valuable? Or are they just less preferred due to their full adult size? I know they get big but will my Rio 240 tank be big enough for him or will I need a bigger tank? I'm absolutely loathe to get rid of him as I've had him for around 3 months now and have absolutely fallen in love with him!

[Richard B]

Chances are you have been sold a hybrid syno under the name of a rare species.

Genuine ones have not been seen for sale in the UK for a good long while & cost around £80 each last time they were seen.

if you post a photo we can tell you exactly what it is

[Phalsh]

Okay so i grabbed some photos. sorry that they're not amazing. let me know what you think!

[Marc van Arc]

Looks a lot like this one:

Synodontis sp_hybrid(9)

[Phalsh]

Definitely looks similar although i assumed a barfin got it's name from the stripes across their fins? (which mine has). whereas the one you've showed me seems more like spots? i'm probably just being far too critical haha!

EDIT: Although looking at the pictures of pure barfins the stripes seem a lot more prominent and numerous. there are also stripes across the body in most cases whereas mine seems to have something more like waves. In any case, he is still gorgeous to look at and unusually tame and outgoing for a syno!

[Richard B]

This is inded the hybrid Marc has identified. Common names are often confusing but genuine ornatipinnis have nearly always got regular vertical body stripes when small which are not as bold or wiggly as in the fish you have.

[Phalsh]

Okay. Thanks very much guys!