Synodontis

[Special-K]

does anyone know anything about synodontis species??? i saw a couple different ones at petsmart and they made me curious

[Dave66]

What would you like to know, K?

Dave

[Special-K]

well, tank size requirements and sensitivity to start :)

[Dave66]

Depends on the species. Some Synos reach a foot, others a few inches. Some are from the rift lakes, thus needing the hard and alkaline, others are riverine, and prefer it nuetral and fairly soft.
Tell me your tank params and I'll suggest a few species.

Dave

[gm72]

I just love my upside-down catfish. Very reclusive but a whole lot of fun to watch when they do come out. They are becoming more predatory as they age though. They are about a year old and are 6" or so.

[Special-K]

the tank i have that needs a scavenger is 35 US gallons. a little over 3ft long 12.5 deep, 18.5 high if i remember correctly. i will have cories in my 20 gal so i wanted something a little different in my 35. i believe the water is around constant neutral pH, slightly softer.

[Dave66]

Ok, some species, and their lengths. Takes them quite a while to reach them.
S. flavitaenitus (pajama syno) 5 inches
S. angelicus (polka dot syno) 8 inches
S. nigraventis (upside down syno), 8 inches

A list for you: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=29#278

Stayed away from the ones that are great big and those that need special conditions to keep.

Dave

[Special-K]

wow those are some very attractive catfish. unfortunately it seems that two of them are far out of my price range. i will probably have to go with the "upside down" cat cause of availability and price. The two that i saw were Eupterus and one that was synodontis long____ ... i forget the last part of the name. probably both grow too large for a 35 and are rather sensitive. do upside down cats enjoy having a small school or do they prefer to be alone?

[Dave66]

The latter, K. Upside downers like to be in a group of five or six.
By the way, the top two are expensive, but live forever, so you get good mileage for the buck.

Dave

[Special-K]

As always, wondful advice Dave, and i truly appreciate it! go ahead and call me Kyle by the way :thumb:

[Pearl Trade]

i have a multipunctatus in my 10g tank. he does fine in their. he gos up to the top when i feed them and swims upside down. theyre very graceful fish, but expensive. i got mine for $15

[Lady Hobbs]

I have the Synodontus Eruptus. Commonly called Featherfin Squeaker. Two of them each in a 55 gallon. I really like these guys but they should not be together due to aggression. One of mine is currently in with some clown loaches but he chases them. I think they should best be kept alone without other bottom feeders. Just my opinion.