Synos in a mixed species group

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 25 Aug 2005, 02:01

I can guess that something like this would be a completely fintip-bitten failure, but I'd love to know if anyone's had any success in keeping a mixed-species group of large Synodontis?

Those I currently possess are S.resupinatus, macrops, eupterus, and a smaller (12cmSL) greenish unknown species. I know, hardly a group at the moment since they're all in seperate tanks anyway!

Some years ago I tried something similar in a 100g (72"x18"x18") tank with around 10 fish that grew to the 10-15cmSL range, that included S.nigrita, nigromaculatus, the greenish fish mentioned above, eupterus (had no idea these got a foot long at the time), among other possible unknowns. The tank was almost literally filled with rocks, but it made no difference as every fish regularly had it's whitened fintips chewed on by the other fish. I guess if everyone's going to confirm my fears, what would everyone's opinion be on a tank/tub/pond size that will allow these fish to retain ALL of their fins if I can't keep a large group of the same species?

Thanks!

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 26 Aug 2005, 13:56

My resupinatus is very aggressive and won't tolerate other synos. I tried putting it in with my acanthomias (a tough customer itself) but the experiment had to be aborted after fifteen minutes.

I think macrops might be unworkable as well, since it's said to be a close relative of S. schall, which is a nasty one.

Of the biggish synos, I think notatus, decorus and pleurops (in descending order of aggression), would be more suitable.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 29 Aug 2005, 17:42

I have seen considerable aggression from both the resupinatus & macrops, and eupterus in the past w/ several fish I've bought or were given to me. I raised the resupinatus & watched it tear up the fins of anything benthic, but the macrops started chasing ALL the fish around within a half hour of being put in the tank!

Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part, since I was recently stuck w/ yet another eupterus that was a friend's favorite catfish. I guess if I had a tankful (or tubful being more likely for me) of a dozen eupterus I could spread out their aggression enough to spare everybody's fins, since it's not like I'll be able to find a dozen more of the these green & yellow guys...heh

Now I love pleurops & decorus as much as the next guy, and a planted tank with these and Eutropiellus or any other compatible African cat would make me pretty happy. Unfortunately that's just not in the plan right now when my larger tanks are mainly dedicated to pleccos, pims, and not-so-African sicklids.

I do thank you for the reply though, and have you ever posted any pics of your resupinatus? I'm still trying to get some new ones of it & the macrops, but they really hate this light the old sony has on it..

Sescil · Post by **Sescil** » 29 Aug 2005, 19:39

I have an S. Decorus, S. Acanthomias, S. Angelicus and an S. Schoutedeni in a heavily planted 125 gallon tank with tons of driftwood ... All the fish are around 4 inches and have been living together for about a year. There is the occasional scuffle, but for the most part there has not been any trouble.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 01 Sep 2005, 16:15

DeepFriedIctalurus wrote:have you ever posted any pics of your resupinatus?

My I.D. is based on the pic you posted. My digicam's flash is disabled in macro mode, so I need to rig up some bright lighting. Especially since I have a new mystery syno to I.D. I'd like to see a pic of your macrops.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 02 Sep 2005, 02:54

Chrysichthys wrote:My I.D. is based on the pic you posted. My digicam's flash is disabled in macro mode, so I need to rig up some bright lighting. Especially since I have a new mystery syno to I.D. I'd like to see a pic of your macrops.

I think you mentioned it before, forgot about that. I have to get new pics of it since it's appearance is fairly different now (more like the fish in Burgess' atlas). Sounds like you a different kind of digicam pain there, I just have to rely on a 7 year old sony w/ no macro!

I'd like to see pics of the macrops too, especially since the E-log only has a drawing right now!