Synodontis nigriventris tank w/pics

[racoll]

Oh, that's bad news. I would guess it's ammonia or nitrite poisoning? You've added a few fish recently. Is the tank definitely cycled? How are the other fish?

As to oxygenating the water, its probably a bad thing to do in this case. Ctenopoma breathe air, and the added turbulence will just upset them, as they like still water.

It looked okay in the photo, but maybe starvation is an issue? Also what is the temp of the tank?


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[dbl_dbl]

Tank cycled, although it is dirt and I've never done a dirted tank before. With that being said, all the other fish are doing very well. The Butterfly eagerly eats flakes and last night he took a good sized piece of shrimp. The cats are an amazing fish (thanks everyone for the suggestion, I love them) and are doing quite well as well.

As for the tank move - damn, I had read that too...and yet I panicked.

Starvation doesn't seem too likely as he did eat about 8 fry last Wednesday and I had observed him scrounging for food and even taking the odd flake. With that being said, I'm guessing he would eat A LOT more if he had been more comfortable. I could try feeding him with a dropper - I have Brine, Mysis and Bloodworm. What do you think?

Temp of the tank is definitely a worry as it is by a drafty window, however the glass thermometer has never budged below 76 and sits normally at 77F.

[naturalart]

Well I would't be to hasty (to medicate), you indicate that the fish is breathing hard? Hanging at the top of the tank. Is it showing signs of disease i.e.. blotching, fuzz, wounds, etc.? It may be going through an adjustment period, considering you just added 12 syno's to the tank. How is the fish doing now that its in another tank? Hope its still alive?

[dbl_dbl]

Well I would't be to hasty (to medicate), you indicate that the fish is breathing hard? Hanging at the top of the tank. Is it showing signs of disease i.e.. blotching, fuzz, wounds, etc.? It may be going through an adjustment period, considering you just added 12 syno's to the tank. How is the fish doing now that its in another tank? Hope its still alive?

Hi there, fish is still alive in the new tank. I really don't want to medicate to be honest, not because of the cost, but because my experience is that meds rarely do the job unless you dose them with the hard stuff.

He doesnt spend anytime at the surface actually, he's mostly at the bottom. He seems to be able to control his swimming a bit bitter now - before I could easily catch him with the net when he was bad, now he darts away, but I can tell he still isn't right. He doesn't really seem to be eating much but I could swear I've seen him eat a couple of brine shrimp.

That's all for now. I took a look at the stock at work again, they all seem a bit fragile but eat much more readily than mine.

[naturalart]

I would probably help the fish rebuild its health and resistance (quiet clean water, low light, plenty of opportunities for live food), maybe over a months time. Then when you feel its strong enough I would put it in a transfer container and connect a slow drip (@30 min.) from the syno tank and watch closely. If after a 50/50 or better mix the fish is acting 'normal' and holds its color I would reconsider reintroducing it to the syno tank, slowly. But if (after the 50/50 mix) it starts acting like it did before listing at the surface. I would probably just scratch adding this particular fish to the syno tank. My 2cents.

[dbl_dbl]

Well, he was definitely swimming more actively last night. Still not sure he is eating a ton, but at least I can see him moving around. I think I saw him eating a pellet which is good. Maybe he will make it, gonna have to wait and see. Thanks for the advice, will keep you guys updated.

In other news, the Synos are awesome. I'm thinking once I get the 75 full of water, I could increase the school. It's a lot of fun to watch them all come for food. I noticed some have a whiter pattern, particularly in the area below the dorsal fin. Is this a random pattern difference or is it meaningful in some way?

[Birger]

I noticed some have a whiter pattern, particularly in the area below the dorsal fin. Is this a random pattern difference or is it meaningful in some way?

Some females can get quite white all over their backs as they get older and bigger than the males.

Synodontis nigriventris

are quite variable and it would not surprise me to find out that there are some regional variants as far as pattern go...I am sure they would still be the same species, would be an interesting study(at least to me).

The only variant that I know of that gets exported occasionally is the zebra kutu variant (there are pictures in the Cat-eLog). This comes from the Lac Mai Ndombe area, quite a noticable difference in color and pattern.

On a list recently there were some as Synodontis nigriventris jungle...not sure if these are the kutu or or another pattern.

Birger

[dbl_dbl]

Thanks Birger!

A few notes and some pics with today's update:

i) The Bushfish seems to be doing much better. I watched him eat Brine Shrimp with my own eyes today, and he's been quite a bit more active. His colour is also lighter.

ii) I switched a couple Platies into a smaller tank (the one with the Bushfish). I plan on moving a couple more down there, then giving away the biggest Platy and the 2 Mollies.

iii) I moved my Golden Panchax into the West African tank with the Synos and the Butterfly. They seem to be doing well. Thinking about perhaps adding a different variety I found from the same area but am unsure about their territoriality.

EDIT - Not sure if I id'd my Panchax properly...may not be African killis afterall.



Panchax


Above water:


and below water:


Synodontis nigriventris out to feed

[dbl_dbl]

Turns out my Killies are Aplochelieus Lineatus, so they will be a temporary inhabitant until I get some African Killies Might have to wait until summer for that.

[dbl_dbl]

Bushfish is 100% back to health. Really not sure what to do with him at this point, but I am very glad he's doing better. I may just have to find a separate set up for him. I thin kthe Syno cats kicked him out of his cave and he got stressed. Today I saw him fight off an obese Platy for Brine. He ate a ton. First time I've really seen him gorge himself. It was nice!

Sad news is....Pantodon leaped out of a slit that was no more than 3-4cm (about an inch). I had left off a part of the back of my glass tops to adjust the Eheim. Change in flow+addition of Panchax+opening=death. I hate having fish die on me! I may have to get another one soon.

[racoll]

Glad to hear the Ctenopoma is doing better. I would keep him where he is for say a month, and get him feeding well on dried foods before re-introducing him back to the main tank. They really are not difficult fish to keep, so I wouldn't worry too much.

I should have warned you about the Pantodon. As you found out, they will escape through even the smallest hole. Hopefully you can fix this hole up before getting any more.

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