Synodontis decorus question

[Mudfrog]

At what size do the Syno. decorus usually start growing their longer dorsal trailer? I have two (not hybrids) that are probably around 3" or so.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

2"-3" I've read on PCF. This not a topic without some controversy as some profess even 1"-1.5".

Often times it gets torn off by fin nippers and even other fish that think it is a worm... If the maxillary barbels are branched, then I think you are 99% safe these are genuine.

 

[Mudfrog]

2"-3" I've read on PCF. This not a topic without some controversy as some profess even 1"-1.5".

Often times it gets torn off by fin nippers and even other fish that think it is a worm... If the maxillary barbels are branched, then I think you are 99% safe these are genuine.

They are, that is why I assume they are genuine. I picked them up at 2" about a month or so ago and they are around the 3" mark now. Here is the old pic showing the branches on the maxillary barbels.





And how they look now..

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

When I got my first decora at 3", many on PCF helped me learn - not sure if any of this could be useful to you as you probably know all of this: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=28869&hilit=decora&start=20

Page 2 near middle-bottom, Richard Broadbent (a syno expert) states the following:

"Historically w/c decora start to develop the dorsal extension at the 4-5 inch mark.

More recently we've seen some far smaller ones with significant development & i wonder if these are t/b specimens (i presume so)? & why there should be a difference.

I have seen 12" specimens (genuine w/c) without any extension at all but it has not been possible to determine if it has never had it or it has been lost."

Plus previous post by Mats Petersson.

 

[Mudfrog]

Just to update this thread. They are around 4" or so and they have started growing the trailers. I'll try to snap some pics. A little hard as they constantly hide.