Help synodontis and common pleco fighting

[Tristan97]

So iv just got a badly needed upgrade in tanks from a 50L to a 160L tank but my common pleco and my synodontis are now fighting more now in the bigger tank. It was not that bad in the smaller tank but it seems every time i look up there at each other. There both around the same size. Idealy i want to keep them in the same tank being iv just lashed out being the 50l was quickly getting far to small. Please help me.

The picture below is of my old tank still yet to get a good picture of them together with out trying to fight

 

[james99]

The tank isn't big enough for both, I would even think it isn't large enough for one. Synodontis can be aggressive with other bottom dwellers. Now they are in a new tank, they will try to claim new territory. You can try to add a ton of hiding spots, but I think it will come down to tank size.

 

[Tristan97]

They have a 160L tank for now its seemed plenty. Being they got on mostly in the smaller tank iv got shubs and a bit of drift wood that has a little cave on it. The synodontis has claimed that what is what i was hoping. Now i understand the tanks not big enough for them both in the long run its just a step up for now.
The pictures i'v just linked are from my new tank.

 

[celebrist]

Tank will still be to small to avoid issues imho even in my 450 gallon (1800 ish liters right?) My synodontis and plecos would scrape on occasion, until the pleco died

 

[Joshuakahan]

So iv just got a badly needed upgrade in tanks from a 50L to a 160L tank but my common pleco and my synodontis are now fighting more now in the bigger tank. It was not that bad in the smaller tank but it seems every time i look up there at each other. There both around the same size. Idealy i want to keep them in the same tank being iv just lashed out being the 50l was quickly getting far to small. Please help me.

The picture below is of my old tank still yet to get a good picture of them together with out trying to fight

View attachment 1436252

I’ve kept various synos with BN plecos and red fin plecos and they had occasional scrapes but it always worked out after territories were established, usually by the syno, I would add a ton of caves and rocks to break up the line of sight. If it doesn’t fix it, you might have to make a choice on which one to keep.

 

[duanes]

Agree with the others that say a 160 L tank is too small.
These 2 fish inhabit the same niche in nature, so are direct competitors (although from different continents) so each should be given a separate tank (but even alone both get too large for your largest tank.

 

[Tristan97]

I understand that they will both outgrown there new tank. Its a step up for now. Im moving soon and will be investing in a 4-5ft tank. They are both around 10cm in size. The issue is the smaller tank they got alone very well only time they would fight is when the pleco went behind the shurbs into the synodontis hiding spot. Its only been since putting them both in the new tank they have started fighting a lot more.

Some have said its to do with territory. What would make sence as i got my pleco first and hes bever really been one to hide. But i put them both in the new tank at the time time. I gave them a few hours to settle in before getting putting 5 new fish in. Theres no problems there. Im going to get some more hidy holes and shurbs. And hope thay at least helps.

 

[duanes]

If they started together as fry in the small tank, they worked territory out long ago.
Putting them in a different tank, the process of working out territorial boundaries begins anew.

 

[Tristan97]

So i should not be to worried over the next few days? And add some more spots to hide?

 

[celebrist]

My synodontis doesn't seem to pay any attention to my bristle nosed plecos as they are smaller and not a threat. If my tank was smaller with less cover that would likely change. The only fish he doesn't like is my IDS but even that is not life threatening just a once a week or so reminder about who is in charge.