Best syndontis catfish for a smallish tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Conchonius said:
Get a trio of petricola (or the cheaper nigriventris), or more if you can. Even with sociable species, getting two of a fish can result in the more dominant animal "bullying"/outcompeting the other. Larger numbers will allow social interactions to diffuse.

Another alternative is a single eupterus, which is also one of the cheapest species. While they're social animals in large enough tanks, they also enjoy having some territory to themselves and a single fish will not be stressed.

You have plenty of space, 85g will support all but the very largest synos (S. clarias, S. batensoda etc.) As long as these are the only fish in the tank, you'll probably have an easy time since low bioloads in large tanks is a proven formula for success.
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the problem with the 85gallon is it is sqaure so the sides are a bit short. Featherfin squeaker are 50 so a bit more costly
 
Mod123 said:
my ph is 7.5 according to google, can any synodontis support that?
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S. lucipinnis aka "petricola" wil be fine at a pH of 7.5.

Synodontis lucipinnis: pH and GH (Hardness) - PlanetCatfish.com

In an 85 gallon, with proper maintenance, you could easily add 12-15. Personally I would not go less than 5.
These cats do their best in captivity, in larger groups. My wild group, 8 in a 125, bred for me numerous times. pH 8.0 I kept them with a breeding group of adult C. moorii.

More on pH, and group sizes here: Synodontis Lucipinnis Minimum Group Size | MonsterFishKeepers.com

This past comment of mine may interest you as well. Algae eater for Malawi tank? | MonsterFishKeepers.com

Very cool cats. Good luck
 
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RD. said:
S. lucipinnis aka "petricola" wil be fine at a pH of 7.5.

Synodontis lucipinnis: pH and GH (Hardness) - PlanetCatfish.com

In an 85 gallon, with proper maintenance, you could easily add 12-15. Personally I would not go less than 5.
These cats do their best in captivity, in larger groups. My wild group, 8 in a 125, bred for me numerous times. pH 8.0 I kept them with a breeding group of adult C. moorii.

More on pH, and group sizes here: Synodontis Lucipinnis Minimum Group Size | MonsterFishKeepers.com

This past comment of mine may interest you as well. Algae eater for Malawi tank? | MonsterFishKeepers.com

Very cool cats. Good luck
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does the sqaure footprint matter? if i get 12 it will cost 360$ which i cant afford
 
what's the footprint? .....and how many can you afford?
 
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Mod123 said:
does the sqaure footprint matter? if i get 12 it will cost 360$ which i cant afford
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Fish keeping is a hobby of patience. Just safe money and get the fish a bit later. Also safe some extra money for some unexpected expenses which are typical for all kind of animal keeping.

Also look for someone who breeds them for the hobby and doesn't ask commercial prices.
 
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