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Two of my catfish keep swimming around each other in circles, are they mating? How do i know what sex they are? Has anyone ever successfully bred this kind of catfish?

Thanks!

Usualy they bred by hormone stimulation.

You can try the followings:

You'd set up a small (40-60l) tank, fresh tap water (ph7 kh10), 28C, with only an air stone, no light.
Do not put hiding places in, because they will hide instead of breeding. Thats all. I have experiences only with Synodontis nigriventris, but I think maybe it will do the same with other species.

I have noticed in synos that they sometimes just like to swim around each other. If it gets aggressive and really persists, you probably have a pair that is "interested."

My one breeding attempt with synos what with eupterus (featherfins) and dismal flop. The tank was too small, I provided a hiding place and one killed the other. I assume the male killed the female, but they alternately chased, butted and nipped at each other. The presumptive female would swim off when she had had enough, then swim right back and nip or butt the presumptive male. Or flirt.

I would add to what has been posted only make sure the tank is big enough and monitor from time to time to make sure no one is getting hurt.

Last time my eupterus started getting randy I didn't realize what was happening, just thought it was a fish fight. One fish temporarily blinded another, apparently by rubbing that rough skin over the corneas of the other fish. It healed, but I had to separate the fish for a while.

troi