Synodontis ID

[lingi]

Got this yesterday and want to confirm if it’s a Synodontis Ornatipinnis? I’m seeing pictures of them which look like totally different fish. How big should I expect it to get and do I need to feed it anything specifically? All the other tank residents are on frozen shrimp & smelt.

 

[Milingu]

Looks like one to me. They tend to lose the spots when they get old.
I hope it doesn't develop a taste for your bichir. Unfortunately they like to rasp on bichirs. Some specimen do it, others don't, but it's always a risk.

 

[Fishman Dave]

Will be interesting to see it grow.

Whilst it looks very similar , I have a few small bugging concerns over such branched lower barbles and the density of patterning.
If it turns out to be you can expect a sect sized fish, over a foot, maybe nearer one and a half. Feed seems fine, he will eat what the other residents get looking at your tankmates.
Best of luck.
Keep us updated.

 

[lingi]

Will be interesting to see it grow.

Whilst it looks very similar , I have a few small bugging concerns over such branched lower barbles and the density of patterning.
If it turns out to be you can expect a sect sized fish, over a foot, maybe nearer one and a half. Feed seems fine, he will eat what the other residents get looking at your tankmates.
Best of luck.
Keep us updated.

Thanks! It’s been active so far and getting along fine with the rest of the tank mates. The problem is it’s been 5 days now and it has shown no interest in frozen shrimp, smelt, or clams at all. I dropped two spirulina pellets which it did eat, and that’s all she’s had so far. Quite frustrating as I really wanted to have a no-frills scavenger. Having to break a catfish to accept frozen foods was certainly not on my bingo cards.