Question On Synodontis Catfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Allan, that's really not a high price considering their rarity in the hobby. LFS here charge $30 a piece for adult S. lucipinnis, or multipunctatus. In fact, adults are not that easy to find here, most LFS have 2" ers in stock, if that, and they still want $20 a piece or more. lol
 
A couple of good reads for the OP.

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/lake-tanganyikan-synodontisthe-revision.htm


TAXONOMIC REVISION OF LAKE TANGANYIKAN Synodontis (TELEOSTEI: MOCHOKIDAE)

http://etd.fcla.edu/UF/UFE0013900/wright_j.pdf

Thanks for the articles and all the help! Do you think I could maybe do 15-20 mbuna, a couple haps, and S. lucipinnis. (5-8)? I am considering reducing the number of mbuna due to the fact that my tank crashed after a year and a half due to a power outage in the middle of the night, and I lost five out of my eight fish, including my pseudotropheus. This meant that I had to move my Nimbochromis Livingstonii (the whole reason for the new tank), Iodotropheus sprengerae, and my bristle nose pleco into the 125. What is your advice on adding these guys to a tank? Should I get them before or after the mbuna? I have heard that they are ok either way, but wanted to ask somebody who had kept them. Thanks for the help!
 
My Ctenochromis came from a breeder in the GCCA (Greater Chicago Cichlid Assn) as 2" fry.
The only time I've ever seen any in a LFS is when someone has dropped off a large individual who killed everything else in the tank.

Ok, I will have to do some more research on these guys. I am considering adding them to my stock list.
 
That might work, but I have never kept larger predatory Haps such as Nimbos with smaller fish.
 
Cool, it might be one of those situations where it depends on the fish's personality. My livingstonii has been living with mbuna and never eaten anything yet, neither did my venustus (died in the crash). But of course they could become monsters at any time, since they are only about 4.5 in. Are there any mbuna you would stay away from regarding the synos? Thanks!
 
Yes, BIG difference between an adult livingstonii, or any Nimbochromis for that matter, and one that is a mere 4.5". I have kept Nimbos, as well as many other Haps, and I would personally not keep an adult Nimbo with little syno catfish. As far as Mbuna, considering the number of species out there, you'll just have to experiment over time. Most should work, if they have their own kind to compete with, and if the little cats have smaller hides available.
 
Ok, I will watch the Nimbochromis. Are there any genuses that you would consider "safe" with the synos and the mbuna? Sorry for all the questions, but I do not want to endanger any fish that I bring home.
 
Yes, the ones that aren't known to be carnivorous predators in the wild. Everyone says that it's not a problem, until it's a problem.

 
  • Like
Reactions: james99
MonsterFishKeepers.com