Synodontis ocellifer not eating

[j.e.curry]

Hey guys. Long time lurker of the forum, signed up today to get some advice regarding my ~15 year old S. ocellifer.

I've had this guy in a multitude of setups since 2007, but since 2015 he's been housed in a 55g and over to a 75g around 2017, where he is now. He's also had several tankmates, but nothing too aggressive. (Geophagus, acaras, loaches, small plecos, etc.) He's always been the tank boss. I've noticed he's become much thinner and has become completely disinterested in feeding. He's even turning down nightcrawlers and redworms, which are usually his favorite. I recently rehomed most of his tankmates due to general downsizing of my collection, so he's currently with three yoyo loaches and a single bristlenose pleco. Lights have also been lowered to reduce any possible stress.

Has anyone else experienced this with their older Synos? From what I've read most can live up to 25+ years, so I hope this isn't premature end for him. Thanks in advance for and input/advice.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Welcome to the MFK!

Yes, large riverine synodontis have been reported to live for 20-30 years e.g. here https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30928&hilit=eupterus but for most keepers YMMV as they say.

This could be the more or less natural end for it, or could be a latent illness. I presume your water is pristine, stable, and fitting for the fish, the diet is a complete nutritional package, and the DO is adequate.

Another thought is that yoyos can be pretty aggressive to tank mates. I've not kept our yoyo with synos, so don't know from 1st hand experience.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

What do you think? Any news?

I have a more or less complete questionnaire for troubleshooting health and appetite problems but it is mostly for newbies. Yet it might benefit someone else too.

 

[j.e.curry]

Thanks for the reply!

As of yesterday he still is disinterested in eating.

I haven't tested my water in some time, but the tank receives regular water changes (around 40%) every two weeks. Tank is filtered by an FX4 and 304 so filtering capacity and DO should be good. Tank was fed NLS Thera + daily, and Hikari algae wafers and Wardley shrimp pellets a few times a week. I also offer cucumber about once a month during the summer, as I usually have excess from my garden. He usually readily takes all the above, with a preference towards the algae wafers and shrimp pellets.

The yoyo loaches pretty much ignore him. I've yet to observe them exhibit any aggression towards any other tankmates. Their swimming patterns and behavior can be erratic at times, so I guess that could be a source of stress. I would find it unusual if that would start causing problems now.

Are there any treatments to naturally increase appetite? I've raised the temp to around 79F from 76F over the course of a week. I also have Levamisole HCL and Epsom salt on hand if you think either of those would be of use.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Well, so far we have no clue of any even potential red flags. It's hard to medicate not knowing what and why and perhaps can be reserved for a hail mary if needed.

If nothing has changed in or around the tank whatsoever from the times it was healthy and happy, then one'd conclude it is either a natural end or a latent internal malady or bacterial or parasitic kind.

I always test water at the first sign of any problem - every test I can easily get, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH (including stability), hardness KH and GH, TDS. This is the base from which any troubleshooting should begin.

Our yoyo's swimming seems always 100% erratic Erratic swimming by 4 yoyos ... I can't imagine this to be a problem for a large syno. Perhaps things can happen at night when you don't see. I doubt it though. If there were fights, you'd see the consequences.

Presoaking feed in garlic juice, VitaChem, or special appetite enhancers offered for sale could be tried.