Sometimes we forget the most basic of lessons.
Most of the synodontis I see in LFS here in Ireland tend to be some kind of nondescript hybrid. But yesterday I spotted some beautiful petricolas - perfect colouring and markings - at just $10. They were small, just under an inch, but imagining them grown out and in my African tank prompted me to buy a couple (ended up getting 3 as the LFS does a 3 for 2 offer).
I've always been impressed by the survival skills of the mutt hybrids I've got before - they seem adept at finding the many crevices and corners in a tank full of rocks and mbuna. Drop them in the tank when they're small, and they instantly seem able to find a hiding place, disappearing for a few weeks and only reappearing in open water once they're big enough to fend for themselves.
So I assumed the petricolas would have the same self-preservation genes. Big mistake! They just fluttered aimlessly round the tank, with their erratic swimming style acting like a dinner gong for the mbuna. I end up trying to net them while surrounded by 50 cichlids doing their best shark feeding frenzy imitation.
I actually managed to save two of them, and they're now in my little tetra tank until they grow a bit bigger - apparently none the worse for wear. But one of them was swallowed whole by a yellow-tailed acei that is normally the most peaceful fish in the African tank.
My fault for ignoring one of the most basic lessons. If it fits inside another fish's mouth, then that's probably where it will end up.
Most of the synodontis I see in LFS here in Ireland tend to be some kind of nondescript hybrid. But yesterday I spotted some beautiful petricolas - perfect colouring and markings - at just $10. They were small, just under an inch, but imagining them grown out and in my African tank prompted me to buy a couple (ended up getting 3 as the LFS does a 3 for 2 offer).
I've always been impressed by the survival skills of the mutt hybrids I've got before - they seem adept at finding the many crevices and corners in a tank full of rocks and mbuna. Drop them in the tank when they're small, and they instantly seem able to find a hiding place, disappearing for a few weeks and only reappearing in open water once they're big enough to fend for themselves.
So I assumed the petricolas would have the same self-preservation genes. Big mistake! They just fluttered aimlessly round the tank, with their erratic swimming style acting like a dinner gong for the mbuna. I end up trying to net them while surrounded by 50 cichlids doing their best shark feeding frenzy imitation.
I actually managed to save two of them, and they're now in my little tetra tank until they grow a bit bigger - apparently none the worse for wear. But one of them was swallowed whole by a yellow-tailed acei that is normally the most peaceful fish in the African tank.
My fault for ignoring one of the most basic lessons. If it fits inside another fish's mouth, then that's probably where it will end up.
