Question On Synodontis Catfish

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duanes said:
I kept a trio of (what were sold as petricola) with a pair of Lepidiolamprologus elongatus, and trio of Ctenchromis horei, and never any aggression, they spawned a lot, but always ate eggs, so did the cichlids.
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What is the max size of Ctenchromis horei? Also, how big did your petricola get? Thanks!
 
Sorry to ask so many questions, but was wondering if anybody has ever had any success with keeping other plecos than the bristlenos plecos with african cichlids?
 
RD., are there any defining characteristics of S.petricola?
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There is a LOT of conflicting information regarding spot sizes, shape, etc-etc, but the way to tell with certainty is twofold, as adults S. lucipinnis stays smaller on average only reaching 3-4" total length, where S. petricola can reach lengths of 5-6" total length. Secondly, S. petricola has an axillary pore and S. lucipinnis does not. The axillary pore is an opening that is located between the base of the pectoral fin spine and ventral margins of the humeral process, I don't believe that anyone knows what it's exact purpose is, but clearly one species has it, and the other does not. Probably 99% of the cats sold as S. petricola over the years, are actually S. lucipinnis. I don't believe that the former has even been bred in captivity. If they have, it's a rare event, whereas millions of people have bred S. lucipinnis.

One thing to note, mbuna can be very aggressive/territorial little monsters when they become sexually mature, and some species of synos may be better suited to your tank than others. I would think that the smaller species would be ignored for the most part, where as some of the larger species might get fin nipped, or worse.
 
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RD. said:
There is a LOT of conflicting information regarding spot sizes, shape, etc-etc, but the way to tell with certainty is twofold, as adults S. lucipinnis stays smaller on average only reaching 3-4" total length, where S. petricola can reach lengths of 5-6" total length. Secondly, S. petricola has an axillary pore and S. lucipinnis does not. The axillary pore is an opening that is located between the base of the pectoral fin spine and ventral margins of the humeral process, I don't believe that anyone knows what it's exact purpose is, but clearly one species has it, and the other does not. Probably 99% of the cats sold as S. petricola over the years, are actually S. lucipinnis. I don't believe that the former has even been bred in captivity. If they have, it's a rare event, whereas millions of people have bred S. lucipinnis.

One thing to note, mbuna can be very aggressive/territorial little monsters when they become sexually mature, and some species of synos may be better suited to your tank than others. I would think that the smaller species would be ignored for the most part, where as some of the larger species might get fin nipped, or worse.
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Do you think synos 6 in or under would be ok, or would 3-4 in be better? Thanks!
 
My male Ctenochromis horei topped off at about 7" females smaller, the males were very aggressive with females in a 6ft 125 gallon tank, even when only a few inches, and although they spawned a few times, the females all ended up dead soon after if I left them in the same tank.



They totally ignored the Synos which topped off around 5".
 
I have both angelicus and occellifer and for the most part they stay hidden. I would look more into multis, petricolas or lucipinnis they seem to be more active and like being in groups.
 
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