Synspilum with South Americans

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Matt1981

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 22, 2006
13
0
0
uk
I currently have one green terror, 3 severums and a true parrot in a 200G tank (78"*24"*24"). All the fish are about 3" long.

Originally i was going for all south americans but having seen adult syn's i have moved the goal posts a bit and would like to get one.

Could i keep a synspilum with these fish. The ones i have seen are 3-4".

I also plan on adding one tiger oscar and maybe a red-headed sev.

Would i be overstocked in the long term with:

Tiger Oscar
4 Severums
True Parrot
V.Synspilum

Tank has plenty of large driftwood pieces and rocks for hiding.
 
I have kept a syn with SA in the past. In my experience, for it to work, will depend on the size and temperament of the syn compared its tank mates. You generally want the more passive fish to be the larger fish (its size will help discourage attack). In this case the Syn will generally be allot less aggressive compared to most SA cichlids. individual temperament varies amongst all fish so watch it carefully. I had an O with my Syn aswell and he didn't bother the Syn or any other fish too much as long as he has his space, which I think a 6' 200G will provide. Overall I think the stock you are suggesting will work but you will need to watch the tank closely to observe individual temperament. make sure you have sufficient filtration. You may need to watch your Nitrate levels and do addition water changes.
 
R0B;4286642; said:
I have kept a syn with SA in the past. In my experience, for it to work, will depend on the size and temperament of the syn compared its tank mates. You generally want the more passive fish to be the larger fish (its size will help discourage attack). In this case the Syn will generally be allot less aggressive compared to most SA cichlids. individual temperament varies amongst all fish so watch it carefully. I had an O with my Syn aswell and he didn't bother the Syn or any other fish too much as long as he has his space, which I think a 6' 200G will provide. Overall I think the stock you are suggesting will work but you will need to watch the tank closely to observe individual temperament. make sure you have sufficient filtration. You may need to watch your Nitrate levels and do addition water changes.
Click to expand...

You make it sound like an Oscar is more aggressive then a Synspilum?
I think a Synspilum will dominate that tank without even trying.
 
i have 4 vieja syn cross with blackbelts from 6-10" with 2 smaller sevs,silver dollars and a shoal of colombian red fin tetras. they dont touch anything very peaceful fish. i feed them well and keep the water clean. started of with 20 babies and reduced to 6 at the 4-5" stage keeping the most peaceful.
 
mark377;4286682; said:
You make it sound like an Oscar is more aggressive then a Synspilum?
I think a Synspilum will dominate that tank without even trying.
Click to expand...

Os are definitely not one of the most aggressive fish out there but they can be territorial. That is to say I've seen full grown O that will claim a spot and flare and flash at any like Cichlid that it deems a threat to its claim. It most likely will not chase a fish down and kill it. And yes in most case a syn is less aggressive and territorial then an O. The only reason I brought that part up was because the O was most likely going to be the only fish that out grows the syn in that tank. With all that said you have to take into account that individual temperaments differ.
 
R0B;4286974; said:
Os are definitely not one of the most aggressive fish out there but they can be territorial. That is to say I've seen full grown O that will claim a spot and flare and flash at any like Cichlid that it deems a threat to its claim. It most likely will not chase a fish down and kill it. And yes in most case a syn is less aggressive and territorial then an O. The only reason I brought that part up was because the O was most likely going to be the only fish that out grows the syn in that tank. With all that said you have to take into account that individual temperaments differ.
Click to expand...
I guess I had a weird Synspilum , cause he was calm and all, but at times he was very aggressive and even killed a Jack Dempsey. And he didn't kill him because of territory problems, because they were in a 190 gallon, he was just getting pissed off and attacked like crazy.
That's why I also said the Synspilum will dominate, most of the time they aren't aggressive, but they definately are powerful.
 
mark377;4287253; said:
I guess I had a weird Synspilum , cause he was calm and all, but at times he was very aggressive and even killed a Jack Dempsey. And he didn't kill him because of territory problems, because they were in a 190 gallon, he was just getting pissed off and attacked like crazy.
That's why I also said the Synspilum will dominate, most of the time they aren't aggressive, but they definately are powerful.
Click to expand...

LOL yeah, every once in a while you will come across a psychotic fish, regardless of the species general temperament. Sucks to hear. Dempseys are nice fish too.
 
my Synspilum is well behaved. It leaves the acaras, severums & parrots alone. They are all half as big as him and living in a 120G. I think u'll be good.

It works for me because i feed mine regularly and with lots of veggie, brings down aggression, but you have to up the water change..
 
I have had syns that are gentle giants and syns that are total a holes, I cant recall any oscars ive kept that are even somewhat agressive. its really gonna come down to the idividuals personality
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom