Combining Synos: Lucipinnis and Multipunctatus

[DJRansome]

I've had a mbuna tank with 6 Syno Lucipinnis for 2 years. I'd like to try Multi's, would a group of 5 get along OK in that tank?

[Birger]

For you it may depend on the size of the tank they are to be kept in...also the number of other inhabitants(cichlids)that are already in there.

I have kept them combined in a number of different scenarios without any problems...but I always use lots of river stones to provide plenty of cover when needed.

Birger

[DJRansome]

They are in a 125G tank. Especially for the Synos, there are 5 terra cotta saucers sunk into the substrate, partially covered with slate tile, all of this under the 250 pounds of rockpiles. (More for the mbuna, there are also 10 PVC pipe sections hidden under the rockpiles.)

Other inhabitants are:
6 Syno Lucipinnis
6 P. Acei
3 M. Estherae (all females)
5 Yellow Labs
8 Cynotilapia Blue Reef (all juvies)
15 P.Demasoni

[Birger]

I think they would enjoy this tank very much...may even successfully breed with the yellow lab's

there are 5 terra cotta saucers sunk into the substrate, partially covered with slate tile

I do the same....I put in lots of small ones to give some

Phyllonemus typus

places to call home

Birger

[Richard B]

Sounds perfect for them! I've not experienced any problems between these 2 species

[DJRansome]

I've had the 5 Synodontis Multipunctatus in with the 6 Synodontis Lucipinnis for almost a year now. The inhabitants of this 125G tank are moving to a 75G tank. Am I still OK with eleven Synos?

They will share with a reduced population of the same mbuna they've been with all along. (Demasoni, Zebras, Labs, Cynos) I love my Synos and don't want to get rid of any.

[DJRansome]

Bump.

[Birger]

I think the catfish will be fine...you not only will have to cut down the population of cichlids but may have to cut down on the amount of species being kept together...I would probably take out the bigger of the species that you have.

[DJRansome]

Four species of cichlids in a 75G is perfect, I was just worried about keeping the eleven cats with the group. But they will be fine?

[Richard B]

I don't forsee any problem with 11 cats, especially split between 2 species in nice sized groups

[DJRansome]

Fabulous! Actually, since the post from another non-catfish forum that prompted me to ask here got me started thinking about alternatives. I have a 36" tank destined for a species trio or quad of peacocks. I think I might put the Lucipinnis in there. They are smaller and less rambunctious than the Multi's. I think I might enjoy them more if they aren't lost in the mbuna/multi crowd. And they might enjoy a quieter tank to themselves (almost) more as well.

[Richard B]

Sounds like a good plan - you could always add some cyprichromis to keep them company

[DJRansome]

I have been challenged by a member on another forum to inquire as to why the combination of synodontis multipunctatus and synodontis lucipinnis is not a hybridization risk.

I didn't know the answer so I thought I'd ask here. Thanks!

[Richard B]

Multis primarily use the cuckoo spawning method although they will on rare occasions scatter. Lucipinnis are cave spawners. 2 different reproductive strategies. These 2 sp are not as closely related as say luci's to petricola or multis to grandiops & for hybridisation to occur at all you'd probably need one male of one of them with one female of the other as a bare minimum with one of them going away from their natural spawning instincts & this is just theory.

Catfish hybridisation without man's intervention is a very rare occurrance

[Birger]

Multis primarily use the cuckoo spawning method although they will on rare occasions scatter. Lucipinnis are cave spawners. 2 different reproductive strategies. These 2 sp are not as closely related as say luci's to petricola or multis to grandiops & for hybridisation to occur at all you'd probably need one male of one of them with one female of the other as a bare minimum with one of them going away from their natural spawning instincts & this is just theory.

Catfish hybridisation without man's intervention is a very rare occurrance

Another point is that with so many hybrid syno's out there there may be uninformed people thinking they are hybridizing by their (the fishes) own choosing which we know here is far from the truth.