How to create a happy stress-free environment for your silver shark. As the Synodontis eggs hatch more quickly than the cichlid eggs, the young catfish consume all the cichlid eggs, leaving the unsuspecting adult cichlid to guard the catfish fry as if they were its own. William Smith April 10, 2020 4 Comments. In many of the hybrids, like the one shown above, we see an incomplete manifestation of the parental colour pattern; so many hybrids may have a black dorsal spine, but not a black dorsal fin (and white hind edge), or incomplete/indistinct black stripes that run along the caudal fin lobes. Alberti or “Bigeye Squeaker” Catfish (Synodontis alberti) Size: 8 inches. It is assumed that there is even ongoing natural hybridisation within such very young species flocks. But it has an inferior mouth, that’s why quite ofte… Published August 6, 2019 Author: Mike - FishLore Admin Social Media: The Upside Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) is an interesting catfish that starts swimming upside down at around two months of age. Please note you will receive up to 3 email reminders. 1. Although the African Cichlid is noted for its aggression, the larger catfish species are compatible tank mates and generally do a great job of helping maintain water quality. Ultimately, being able to tell if you are being sold a hybrid instead of a true species boils down to experience and knowing what the species in question actually looks like. Unlike the majority of Synodontis species, S. petricola has been bred in the home aquarium. Efficient filtration is recommended, as these fish are voracious eaters and can produce a fair amount of waste. The most reliable way  to identify a hybrid is to use the following combination and not just rely on any one of these characteristics. They are great tank mates for African cichlids and are really the only appropriate tank mate. A good guidebook with helpful photographs can be of great assistance, especially if you are an inexperienced fishkeeper. Fluval Roma 240 Litre Bluetooth LED Aquarium and Cabinet Set, Aqua Range 'Aqua-Substrate' Coral Sand - Fine 10kg, AquaManta EFX 300 External Canister Filter. Receive fortnightly emails with the latest news, competitions and offers! This may be kinked in very large individuals of some species,  like S. clarias, but if you see a kinked dorsal spine in a young fish, chances are more than even that you are dealing with a hybrid. The ones I have pretty much stay hidden all the time unless there is food around The hardiest fish for keeping outdoors.
Substrate should be sand or some type of smooth gravel to reduce the chance of barbel damage. There are a series of fine black lines on the fins. Minimum Tank Size: 55 … At the same time, there is the worrying possibility of the effect hybrids may have on diluting the gene pool and keeping species separate. If you continue to use this site we’ll assume you’re happy to receive all cookies. Everyone has their take on hybrid aquarium fish and the point of this feature was not to argue which view is morally correct, but to present both sides of the argument and lead to informed choice. Since these hybrids are not found in the wild, there is no benefit of any habitat data that can be used as a guide. pH: 7.8-8.8, dH: 15-25 degrees. Your personal details are safe with us. You can also use algae wafers as these fish are omnivorous. It gets its common name, Upside-Down Synodontis Catfish because of this odd style of swimming. Synodontis euptera/S. Featherfins can be kept as individuals or in small groups. With beautiful finnage and a relatively gentle temperament, synodontis catfish are omnivorous scavengers that will eat algae, pellets, flakes and even live food. Hybrid Synodontis are relatively easy to feed, as with most other true species, and will readily feed on most live, frozen and commercial food. The cuckoo cat is perfect for any African cichlid tank of minimum size 40gal, so long as you provide enough places to hide. … For hybrids with non-Rift Lake species as parents, one common colour pattern seen in many such hybrids is the presence of wavy lines, particularly light wavy lines over a dark body. As with wild Synodontis, make sure to vary the diet and include vegetable matter when feeding them. Other common names have been frequently associated with hybrids. Almost all the Rift Lake species have copper-coloured eyes, so if you spot a Synodontis without the typical spotted pattern of many Rift Lake species, but with copper-coloured eyes, you may again be looking at a hybrid. Be the first to receive fintastic fishkeeping tips, product news, special offers and personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox. Thread starter bichir boi; Start date Mar 10, 2005; click to enter! multipunctata hybrid. Magnificent whiskered catfish have a reddish-beige to silver-brown basic color and several slightly washed-out dark spots that are distributed over the body and widen to dark stripes on the fins. A number of hybrids also appear to have squat bodies, although this may not be so obvious. We understand that tracking can feel intrusive at times, so you can simply close this window and we'll leave you on your way. petricola (pictured above): These have a light brown body with numerous small black spots and a faint dark stripe running the entire length of each caudal fin lobe. They are also often found in wetlands on land. Because so there are so many Synodontis species that can be hybridised, there is no hard and fast rule to identifying a hybrid. Synodontis Catfish. New formula AquaCare includes sustainably sourced spirulina, Congratulations to our recent gallery winner, Have a look through our frequently asked questions. Cichlids, barbs, rainbowfish, and different strong fishes are excellent tank mates; solely the smaller species of Synodontis Catfish needs to be saved on the whole group aquariums. Synodontis Petricola, also known as the Even-Spotted Petricola or Cuckoo Synodontis, hail from the northern region of Lake Tanganyika. Frequently sold as very young fish, they have light brown bodies with numerous medium-sized black spots that extend to the fins. Angel Catfish or Angelicus Cat (Synodontis angelicus) S. angelicus is probably the rarest catfish on this list and has an unforgettably beautiful appearance. It should be decorated with a good amount of rocky caves/PVC tubes, some driftwood, and robust planting (that can cope with hard, alkaline conditions) to provide shady areas, but you should also ensure that a roomy swimming space is left along the front of the tank. Synodontis Petricola can also be distinguished by the white trim along their dors… If you do not know the exact parentage of your hybrid, perhaps a safe bet would be to use values more middle-of-the-road, such as pH to 7.0–7.5 and GH to 10. Synodontis petricola, Synodontis flavitaeniata and Synodontis multipunctatus are a few commonly offered as tank-bred individuals. It may not be reproduced without written permission. This Is dishonesty that may also stymie conservation efforts for the more rare species. The argument is that cultivated varieties — as in goldfish and some livebearers — already have had their genetic make-up artificially altered by humans anyway. For the latter, the catfish coincides its spawning with that of a mouthbrooding cichlid and stealthily lays its eggs amongst those of the host fish. Some of the hybrids exhibit a distinctly kinked dorsal spine. There are very few riverine Synodontis species with copper-coloured eyes, so eye colour is a strong indicator, but by no means a completely reliable one, that you are dealing with a hybrid. Its natural habitat is the freshwater reservoirs of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Captive aquarium breeding may be the only lifeline against the threat of extinction — in which case the reproductive effort to produce hybrids is wasted as far as the survival of the species is concerned. When you occur to be an aquarist fortunate sufficient to have Synos breed within the tank, look ahead to a few of their attention-grabbing breeding behaviors. Featherfin Catfish Tropical Fish Learn all about the Featherfin Catfish's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. 5. For some, the availability of hybrid species is greatly welcomed, since this usually means being able to obtain attractively coloured fish relatively cheaply — but the purists view hybrids with distaste. Synodontis Catfish belongs to the family of variegated catfish. In the wild it basically feeds on insects (fallen on the water surface), crustaceans and plant food. Can pose a threat to small fish. 2. Interestingly, it has 2 methods of breeding: egg scattering and brood parasitism. The Featherfin catfish originates from the African continent, namely Nigeria, Sudan, Chad and Ghana, it is found on the rivers and waterways. This is perhaps the easiest but least accurate way to determine if the Synodontis catfish you see in a store is a hybrid, as everyone knows the names given to fishes in the shops are never completely accurate and many of you have come across gross misidentifications there. ocellifer: These hybrids are sometimes misleadingly sold as S. longirostris or S. velifer. Size: 4 … For instance, hybrid Synodontis with one or both parents being a Rift Lake species (usually S. lucipinnis, S. multipunctata or S. polli) are expected to do well in harder, alkaline water with pH to about 8.5 and GH to about 20, while those with both parents being riverine species would prefer softer, acidic water with pH 6.0–7.0 and GH to about 8. Many hybrids with Rift Lake ancestry have some elements of the fin coloration of the Rift Lake species. The upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) is a small catfish with the unique habit of swimming and resting upside-down.These fish spend upwards of 90% of their time in the inverted position and have a reverse colour scheme to most fish – … Many hybrids with one or both Rift Lake species as parents frequently possess spots on the body that are not completely round but look like short, wavy lines or assume the shape of an incomplete ring (C-shaped). These synos grow to around 12 centimeters, so they are not terribly large, and if you have the funds, you can quite happily keep several of them in a 90-gallon tank. Synodontis are the dominant African catfish in the aquarium trade, because of their attractive colour patterns and generally peaceful nature, making them suitable tank mates for a community tank consisting of medium to large-sized fish. Please note your details will be added to our Recommend platform to allow us to tailor product recommendations to your specific interests. Other hybrids have had 'scientific' names created for them. Hard, alkaline conditions essential. Synodontis are the dominant African catfish in the aquarium trade, because of their attractive colour patterns and generally peaceful nature, making them suitable tank mates for a community tank consisting of medium to large-sized fish. Dr Heok Hee Ng explains why there are suddenly so many about and offers advice to hobbyists who are buying fish on how to tell a hybrid from the genuine article. My advice is that if the syno looks like it may be a hybrid, it is safer to assume it is than purchase a fish you may not want to care for. Specialist hardwater community of medium-sized fish only. Breeding reports of riverine species such as S. schoutedeni using this method can be found in some aquarium literature. The spawning clinch follows a period of excited chasing from the male fish, with the eggs being deposited on the substrate or in a cave. B. bichir boi Fish Fanatic. It was artificially introduced to Philippines. However, the number of species with such a pattern frequently encountered as aquarium fish is very small, plus they are frequently encountered in small numbers. In the true species like the one pictured above, this typically consists of a black dorsal fin spine and a black dorsal fin with a white hind edge and a pair of black stripes that run along the outer margins or centres of the caudal fin lobes. The water should be well-oxygenated with a moderate current, and frequent partial water changes are a must to help keep nitrate to a minimum. For the latter, the catfish coincides its spawning with that of a mouthbrooding cichlid and stealthily lays its … It feeds by skimming biological coverage's and perception, through its barbels enabling it to detect the slightest whiff, the slightest appetizing smell. A gregarious species, S. petricola should be kept in groups of 5 or more for their continued wellbeing. Also there is information that the fish was encountered in Kouilou Department of the Republic of the Congo. Company Registered in England no. This is another cat that does best in groups. The fish has a light brown body and head, numerous very fine black spots on the head, and very much larger, oval black spots on the body that extend to the fins. Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum Synodontis cats-Synodontis cats sp. As with many catfishes and true Synodontis, hybrids feel most comfortable with adequate hiding spaces, so make sure you provide plenty of rockwork and/or driftwood for this purpose. However, if it is possible to establish the parentage of the hybrid, it is still possible to use requirements of the parent species as a rough guide. Ideal tank mates include: Cichlids of similar size, Gouramis, Larger Barbs, Larger Tetras, Rainbowfish, Larger Danios, Loaches, Plecos, and other scavenger catfish. ynodontis lucipinnis is a small catfish from Lake Tanganyika, its life takes place in the shelter of the rocks between which he slips like a little shady shark. GB 638 3492 15, Copyright © 2021 Warners Group Publications Plc. In S. lucipinnis, these spots tend to be of a more uniform size all over.FeedingOmnivorous. For more info about how your email will be used, read our Privacy Policy here. Additionally, in most cases, S. petricola displays spots on the head area that are smaller than the spots on the flanks. We use cookies to help improve the experience you have on this site. The aquarium should be spacious with a soft sandy substrate in order to protect the sensory barbels. The Featherfin Squeaker (Synodontis eupterus) inhabits much of central Africa, specifically Nigeria, Sudan, Niger, Chad, Ghana, Mali, and Cameroon as well as the White Nile river system.. The complexities of getting captive populations to breed and raising the fry to saleable size may be to blame. These are greedy fish, and are a little susceptible to bloating so take care not to overfeed, and go easy on the amount of dried foods given - avoiding all floating foods.BreedingUnlike the majority of Synodontis species, S. petricola has been bred in the home aquarium. Water Parameters Synodontis “zebrinus”: This is a hybrid of possibly S. euptera crossed with S. schoutedeni, and is easily distinguished by the colour pattern of fine wavy lines on a dark body. It is not meant to be exhaustive, as the number of possible hybrids is quite large and it is difficult to predict the types that may be produced in the future. Most syno cats get between 4-7 inches and can live for over 10 years. S. petricola is very similar in appearance to S. lucipinnis, but S. petricola grows to a slightly larger adult size. The Latin name “Synodontis” this fish received due to the specific structure of the jaws… 4. These hybrids are sometimes sold in the guise of rare Synodontis species, such as S. ornatipinnis and S. velifer, and at other times have been sold under their own made-up names. This basically stems from the issue that the creation of hybrids is a manifestation of arrogance in displaying our ability to control evolution and improve nature. Five things you will learn in this issue: Juvenile fish are suited to a community tank, but adult fish grow fairly large, and may eat smaller fish. Some breeders/exporters unscrupulously pass off the hybrids as belonging to these rare, attractive species in order to make them more desirable. Before adding a catfish to the aquarium, be sure to take a few precautions to reduce aggression. Sailfin Pleco Tank Mates. The splendid Clown squeaker (Synodontis decorus) from the Congo Basin in Africa likes to hide under roots and stones, but mainly likes to tour the aquarium at night. They have fun chasing each other around all the tunnels and holes, while feeling secure under the driftwood. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Not all species that have light-coloured wavy lines on a dark body are hybrids, as there are some species, for example S. aterrimus and S. brichardi, with such a colour pattern. Why is the idea of hybrids so repugnant to some aquarists? Tiger Synodontis: This is possibly a hybrid of S. euptera and S. multipunctata. Simply add in your email address below and we'll do the rest. A distinct nuchal concavity is a sure sign that you are dealing with a hybrid or deformed fish. Still, there are some species names and words that should be flagged. Care Synodontis lucipinnis is known only from Musende Rocks, Zambian Lake Tanganyika. Sign up to receive our email newsletters and saved shopping basket notifications and receive all our latest fishkeeping news, special offers and personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox. The sailfin plecos are peace-loving fish, but it will be wrong to keep small species to them, they can become an accidental victim of a giant. That small tank size could pose an issue as your fish gets older. Still others have had their scientific names legitimised, like Synodontis galinae, a species described in 1998 but this is most likely a hybrid. While the real S. ornatipinnis is very rarely encountered in the aquarium trade — and command high prices when they do — some hybrids are sold under that name. Some hybrids have distinctly humped backs caused by a very distinct concavity in the nuchal (neck) region. Synodontis lucipinnis (formerly Synodontis Petricola "dwarf"): by Benoît Jonas. Fish Wholesale Database Interestingly, it has 2 methods of breeding: egg scattering and brood parasitism. They are often confused with Synodontis Multipunctatis, which comes from the same African lake. The aquarium should be spacious with a soft sandy substrate in order to protect the sensory barbels. Tank mates. Cichlids, barbs, rainbowfish and other robust fishes are ideal tank mates; only the smaller species of synodontis should be kept in general community aquariums. Jan 9, 2018 - synodontis schoutedeni catfish reg synodontis schoutedeni care and information. Upside Down Catfish. You can find out more here. The larger ones need at least 30g and do well in hard water. Synodontis Catfish have almost similar behavior as that of the African Cichlids. Temperament: Peaceful. Although breeding non-Rift Lake Synodontis in the aquarium is not easy, many of the riverine species are very amenable to induced breeding via hormone injections. In such cases, the chances are high that you are looking at a hybrid. Africa; Lace catfish are found in the Senegal and many other African countries including Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana ans Sudan where they inhabit small ponds or other small areas of water. With very few exceptions,  such as S. pleurops, Synodontis do not have such a prominent nuchal concavity. Find Your Nearest Maidenhead Aquatics Store, Learn About Over 500 Species in Our Data Bank. ... Synodontis Catfish – Care, Types, Feeding, Tank Mates & Details! However, Synodontis Multipuncatis are also found throughout Lake Tanganyika and the surrounding rivers. Dim (can be brighter if diffused by plants). Hybrid fish have become a polarising issue within the aquarium hobby, as the very mention of this subject tends to elicit a strong response from either side of the fence. They are frequently … We use cookies to improve your experience of this website by remembering your usage preferences, collecting statistics, and targeting relevant content. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus plecostomus) Care Level: Moderate. So if you see a tank of numerous synos with a dark body and light wavy lines, chances are better than even that you are looking at hybrids. Most catfishes are found in the African rivers Lekini and Malebo. However, fishkeepers’ reactions to these hybrids differ widely. This is especially significant in species where wild populations are declining. They can command quite high prices both in pet stores and out of them. These fish require specific conditions and/or biological signals to spur them into breeding conditions. If present it can be very slight. These fish are most comfortable in aquaria with subdued lighting, and the use of blue-moon type illumination is highly recommended so that you may observe a few hours of the nightly goings-on in an aquarium containing these catfish. The characteristics discussed above can help in identifying most of the hybrids presently on the market, but ultimately, it boils down to experience with this group of catfish. The fin spines are black in very young fish. Synodontis petricola is quite a peaceful species and will only eat or harass other tankmates if they are much smaller than them as they forage round the tank at night, and if you do see them for sale, and you can match their water constraint, snap them up because you won't be disappointed. If you have decided to purchase a hybrid Synodontis, or if you were unfortunate enough to have bought one by mistake, how should you take care for it? Where the plants in your tank come from and how you can be sure they are sustainable. CareThe Petricola Catfish is known only from the northern rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. Ensure that heaters are covered with heater guards to prevent these catfish from being burned when looking for dark crevices to rest against. © 2021 Maidenhead Aquatics Ltd. All Rights Reserved. At the end of the day, Upside Down Catfish need as much room to roam as possible. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Commercial fish breeders may not even require the fish to breed naturally, since it is much easier to strip the eggs and milt (sperm) from the fish after hormone injection and generate interspecific hybrids simply by fertilising the eggs of one species with the sperm of another. Unlike the prior two catfish noted, this one won’t do as well in with the African Cichlids, but makes an excellent addition to tanks with a lower pH, ranging from 6.0 – 7.5. A recent study on the molecular phylogeny of Synodontis found that those in Lake Tanganyika evolved as recently as 5.5 million years ago, and that a group of closely-related southern African species is even younger, evolving within the last 900,000 years or so. They have a light brown body with numerous medium-sized black spots, a relatively tall dorsal fin and spine, and smaller black spots on the fins that coalesce to form bands. As a result of the quest for “new” and “interesting” species, commercial fish breeders in eastern Europe — most notably in Russia and the Czech Republic — and Asia have begun producing interspecific Synodontis hybrids in recent years. With a 30-gallon tank, you can keep a small group together and even introduce a few tank mates. Experts may be able to sex the fish by examining the genital papillae (known as venting). One such name is S. ornatipinnis. This is a list of the more common hybrid Synodontis encountered in the aquarium trade. Hybrid Synodontis have started appearing in the shops in increasing numbers. Some people regard synodontis as being rabid killers, but if kept with larger cichlids, they do quite well. Once they find their favorite spot, they will stay there much of their lives unless the tank is revamped or a competitor out competes them for the space. The eggs should hatch within 24 hours, with the fry becoming free-swimming some 48-72 hours later. Companions should be relatively peaceful and larger than 3cm (1.2") in length (otherwise they may be predated upon); they do well as part of a Tanganyikan community of medium-sized fish. Cuckoo Catfish are nigh wanderers and roam across the aquarium within the night solely. Valentine Synodontis/Synodontis “valentiana”: This name is often applied to a S. decora /S. There is also the related ethical issue of passing off hybrids as a true species. Why do Synodontis form interspecific hybrids so easily? No thanks, I would like to continue shopping. Synodontis nigrita/S. The aquarium will be big enough to give every fish swimming room without feeling cramped. Offer a variety meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc., along with some sinking catfish pellets/tablets/granules. Diet [edit | edit source] They will take most foods including flake and pellet as … This Synodontis catfish enjoys a tank with lots of hiding places, particularly driftwood.
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