curious behavior? and ID help

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

So my catfish, unknown sp. About 7" tl. Keeps swimming his head clear out of the water for 3-10 seconds at a time. 125 gallon with aggressive central American cichlids. Water parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and less than 10 nitrate. Don't know if I should be concerned or what kind of fish it is. Thanks in advance for any input on either part.

 

[dazzapolypterusweeksii]

No idea on his behaviour but his looking nice and healthy.

 

[pharmaecopia]

It is in the synodontis family, not sure on the exact species though.

Edit, Possibly Synodontis ocellifer

 

[joe jaskot]

It is in the synodontis family, not sure on the exact species though.

Edit, Possibly Synodontis ocellifer

That's what it looks like.

 

[fishnatics]

Maybe he's just playing?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

It'd be helpful to have more and better pics but it does look like an ocellifer to me too http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=551

The head-sticking-out thing, I think, is a very serious symptom that something is wrong. Fish usually perish following this symptom.

What test kit are you using?
Is there adequate aeration?
Any problems with gill flukes?

(for reference sister thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/no-help-in-catfish-forum.662312/#post-7451936 )

 

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

No gill flukes, I have an api master test kit in the mail, I was using the three separate to test parameters before. All other fish are super healthy and even the cat has been till now. Don't know if it's too much competition for food, seems like he's starting to shrink in the belly department.

 

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

Plenty of water movement and aeration

 

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

I'll post more pics for ID help later, mostly concerned about the atypical behavior

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Don't read much into these. Just trying to help you if I could.

TW: No gill flukes,
TBTB: How do you know? So far parasites or infection or bad water (despite the tests) are all I can think of.

TW: I have an api master test kit in the mail,
TBTB: Ok

TW: I was using the three separate to test parameters before.
TBTB: three separate what?

TW: All other fish are super healthy and even the cat has been till now.
TBTB: Is this based on good appetite, looks, and normal behaviour?

TW: Don't know if it's too much competition for food, seems like he's starting to shrink in the belly department.
TBTB: He is gravely ill, my guess is. Fish do not stick out their heads out of the water like you describe because of competition or hunger or for any good reason. He is probably instinctively looking for a way out.

Please, consider everything you could tell us according to this MFK-recommended list: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/fish-health-diagnostics-read-before-posting.210102/