White Tipped Syno tankmates

[AlisonG]

Hello everyone,

About six months ago I bought three "white tipped syno", these look a lot like the Synodontis hybrid no 6 listed in the cat-elog. When I bought these fish I couldn't find any specific information about them (probably because they are hybrids which I hadn't even realised was possible until more recently) and read that Synodontis like company (which I now realise does not apply to all species) hence I bought the three.

It turns out that they don't really appreciate the company, they are very territorial and every time they see one another the larger fish will chase the smaller fish away. This has resulted in a few minor wounds, mostly scratches from bashing into things at high speed, the smallest bent his barbel last week although this seems to be healing now. Having checked this website for information I contacted Jools, the only registered keeper of this hybrid, he says that his were also very aggressive and that they have some S. Granulosus in their mix (which I understand are one of the most aggressive Synos).

At the moment their aggression is mostly under control, I have made some "curtains" out of giant vallis to separate the tank into three sections each with it's own cave- if they can't see each other then there's no fighting. However, they are only about 15cm long at the moment and are supposed to grow to 27cm so I don't think the curtain tactic will work forever and I have decided to take two back to the shop.

Once this is done I am wondering whether I could get some other catfish for the tank, all my other fish are ok with the cats including the reedfish that sometimes squeeze into their caves with them, but I am cautious of getting anything too similar. Jools reckons I could get away with a pleco or doradid since these will be very different in shape. All my other fish are ok with the cats including the reedfish that sometimes squeeze into their caves with them. I was wondering whether anyone else has had any experience with mixing these catfish (or the S Granulosus that they are similar to) with other species- how different does a fish need to look to be left in peace? I'm quite keen on the humbug catfish Platydoras armatulus, and I would like a look at what plecos I can find although I'm aware they would prefer water to be on the softer side, I would also go for other synos of a different patterning if this would work.

The tank is 300L, water is fairly hard (Cambridge water says 16dH), pH is around 7.4 and I keep the white tipped synos, 3 reed fish, 2 kribs, some green swordtails and some green mollies in there.

Oh and I definitely want to keep one of my white tipped synos, I have realised they are not a patch on the S. granulosa, but I still love 'em to bits.

Thanks for your advice,

Alison

[Scleropages]

I'm quite keen on the humbug catfish Platydoras armatulus, and I would like a look at what plecos I can find although I'm aware they would prefer water to be on the softer side, I would also go for other synos of a different patterning if this would work.

It's hard to say how your Syno with react. Many plecos are quite adaptable and you should be able to find some L numbers near you that will do well in your tank. If your LFS uses the same water as you and their pleco stock looks healthy, they should be fine in your water. As far as Platydoras armatulus, again, it's hard to say. They should be fine in your water conditions, but when the lights go out and they start roaming around and bumping into things, you can't predict how your Syno will react.

If you haven't gotten rid of two of the Synos, you may want to try to sex them and keep a male. It's been my experience that male Synodontis catfish are typically less aggressive than females. However, every individual is different and this isn't always the case.

[AlisonG]

Just as an update, I caught two of my Synos today and took them back to the store. It was sad to see them go, but I'm happier knowing I got rid of them before they got big and hurt each other. Also I was a bit annoyed that the manager of the shop left them floating directly under a fluorescent tube (in a bag that they had printed with instructions to turn the tank lights off so you don't stress the fish) and I had to ask another member of staff to sort them out properly- I'm glad she seemed to care because otherwise I might have brought them back home again! She promised to have a look later and to separate them if they fight (which is likely given that they are in no larger a tank than before). Anyway I am sure they will be fine in their new home and I resisted buying any other fish until I've got more information about what I can keep with them. I also suggested to the staff at the store it might be best not sell them in trios with a discount since not very many people will have big enough tanks to keep three (though I feel this suggestion may be ignored).

I am not sure what sex the remaining fish is, probably female, but in the end I picked the more peaceful seeming out of the two larger fish (the smallest fish didn't really get a chance to show how aggressive it could be).

[Jools]

Hi Alison,

Just for the benefit of other readers, wanted to say what a pleasure it is to read the posts of an aquarist I first met in the early nineties and is still keeping some of the fish from then.

This topic might also be worth reading.

Jools