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Have been trying to get some updated pics of my synos, especially since some have grown rather since I last took pics. I also have a new syno in a few pics. See if anyone can id him. I personally believe he is a hybrid but the store gave him a long name which isn't mentioned in the database here. Will try to get pics of all my cats up but some are tricky to catch on camera. Click on the bottom one for a vid.
P.

Nice Syno. Clarias. You don't see them around anymore.

Mark

Some well fed synos there...which one was it you would like an ID of?

very cool!

The syno in the pic above my angelicus. She lives alone whilst all the others are together. Some have been with me since tiny babies, some were rescues, some just because I'm nut about synos!
Will try for some better pics today but need to finish one of my assignments first.
P.

erm

this is not "well fed" but grossly overweight

the brown Syno's in the fourth picture as well as the angelica in the sixth aren't well fed but wayyyy overweight. they're obese

not just fat bellies, but the entire bodyshape is off

also: i think this tank is very overcrowded and quite filthy as well.

not an example of how fish should be kept IMO

I know it's all the rage these days to agree with anything and out of political correctness only give compliments to even the worst excesses.
but it's a stupid thing to do so, really.

without criticism when it's due one stifles in-depth discussion.
for if it's impossible or not done to point out what should be improved, one can get away with anything even if it's a very bad example of how live animals should be kept

we're a fish keepers community, people, we are morally responsible for our live creatures and we should strive to keep them as best as possible or stop keeping them at all.

Your opinion is fine. I also believe the angelicus is overweight and I have looked into getting her to lose weight, although I have been told it is expected of the angelicus as they mature. The others I disagree with and the reason you may think it looks overcorwded is because every time I approach the tank all the fish congegrate where I am. Makes taking pics tricky. Maybe this wide shot will put your mind at ease.

Unfortunately the other pics were taken through dirty glass and shortly after removing some items from the tank, so I can excuse your accusation. I will get some better pics and you can judge for youself if you still believe that then. If you still don't believe me you're welcome to come see them in their tank.
P.

I know it's all the rage these days to agree with anything and out of political correctness only give compliments to even the worst excesses.
but it's a stupid thing to do so, really.

sorry , my eupterus' are on a diet constantly so I didn't feel comfortable saying anything.

Sid? for a bigger synos like euptera or others, how often do you suggest feeding? every two days, every other day?

not meaning to hijack.

Lol it's ok. I only feed 5 times a week as it is due to their....well, plumpness. But I suspect even that is too much judging by the angelicus! I'm currently aiming to feed less when I do feed on the principle that maybe I'm just overfeeding when I give the food. She wasn't thin when I got her but over the past 5 years she has gained alot. But then so have I.
I won't take offense, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I agree that the water looks a little full of particles in the pics. It is a very mature tank and it's easy to become blase about how we maintain aquaria that have consistent water readings. I appreciate honesty and can only hope to show that this was a mere unfortunate appearance and not the norm. I cannot help that all my fish like to stay together in a group (whoever heard of shoaling syno's....do they?) but can assure they do have ample room to swim, hide etc. I am sure they will be better in the 8 foot I plan on setting up next year but I cannot honestly say I'm gonna rush out and get one now, it will be next year early summer. I have a dissertation to do first.
P.

Very nice and well fed Synos

The fish in the pic above the Angelica is IMHO a hybrid - the one being passed off as ornatipinnis

Yeah, I was wondering what that specimen was as well. Off the top of my head, I was going to say S. decorus or S. ornatipinnis. However, I will defer to Richard on this one.

IME this individual has far too distinct/bold pattern & the lines are too wavy - as a juvie it should resemble a "fatter" brichardi whereas as an adult it sould be more "decora-esque" - the pics in Sands (CotW vol2) & pic 4 in cat-e-log are more typical, in respect of those i've seen which i know to be genuine wild caughts. The first ones i encountered were expensive at £85 each.

I fear the whole hybrid thing has made me a bit too sceptical as to whether there are many/any real ones around at the moment - i've seen plenty of fakes offered recently from £5.99-£50.00 & all with bold distinct patterns including the real wavy lines. I may be proved wrong on this & can only speak from what i know to be correct.

Ok, I've taken some better pics, although I don't seem able to get my glass as clean as I'd like! Moved a few things around this week and had the chance to capture some I don't see much in the day. Have removed a fair amount of rock and rebuilt the decor. It's made the air curtain look more affective.
I'm not sure what species all these are so any ideas will be greatly recieved. I'm sure most are hybrids, but since most are rescues it's ok.
P.

Wow, those are some nice chunky catfishes! Some of them look quite large - how long is the longest..? I don't know much about Synodontis cats, but I have always admired them...especially the ones with "mottled-type" patterns...

Thanks for sharing the pics,

Cheers!

Simon

Here are my thoughts of what your fish are...unfortunately you are right about them being mostly hybrids IMO...

picture # 1----------Hybrid
2.
3 a gem in the mix
4 & 5 Hybrid ??
6 Hybrid
7 Hybrid

Here is our hybrid thread http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =8&t=28659

Getting back to the well-fed issue....obesity is not healthy and leads to many problems....also the unnecessary waste material means more work for the aquarist....my synos unless I am trying to grow out youngsters only feed once a day and throughout the week will usually have 2 or 3 days of no food at all...this is not being mean, but necessary for health and keeps them more active.

It is hard for many to not feed when they are all pushing up against the glass seemingly begging for more but their health is in your care.

Birger

That's pretty much how I feed. Once a day and two days of no food. It's the malawis that do you in. They follow you for food every time you approach the tank but more so at normal feeding time. Angelicus is in a seperate tank and I think I just overfed her. She's taken to her 'diet' ok so far.....well not destroyed the tank at any rate! I'd like her to be more active, I suspect that because she sits in her log most of the time and doesn't have the space the others do she has just turned into a potato. Will keep working on her. When the other tank is replaced she'll get the 125g, which will do her some good for swimming. All her tankmates are on the small size except the two young ebjd's, so the 125 will look kinda empty!
P.

I am doing every other day once a day on my euptera tank.