Another which kind of catfish is this? Synodontis???

[victorypark]

As per my subject heading. Please note this pic doesnt show his sail fin when it is up.

I'm curious to find out as we have had other fish in the tank but gradually they have moved on and I'm suspecting this guy I have is bullying the other occupants.

He is a tough bugger and lives can live in varying qualities of water.

[Richard B]

Synodontis Eupterus

[naturalart]

I would almost guarantee, this fish didn't kill your other fish. In fact, now that you have the space (and depending on the size of your tank), I would suggest you try to find a couple more of these S. eupterus, about the same size, an watch them form an social, amicable pecking order. But make sure that each fish has at least 1 or more hiding spots. These fish are not 'killers' per se.

[Viktor Jarikov]

The OP is talking about bullying (not killing) and a eupterus fits the bill, more or less. They can kill too but I agree that it is rare.

[naturalart]

Was answering this post as I was falling asleep, so yes, a little off point on the killing/bullying focus. But I think I was more speaking too the OP's suspicions. I have seen so many post where people think because the catfish is: the last survivor, or hovering over/near the dead body, or feeding on the carcass that they are probably the culprit (and I'm not speaking directly to the OP). Without evidence, catfish are just being catfish in most cases, just scavenging, or checking the potential of scavenging, the remains.

With S. eupterus in particular, many keepers, when they see this fish chasing other fish, inter or intraspecific, they think bullying/aggression. I say they are simply acting out their 'need' to be social which usually entail setting up a 'pecking order, while staying in the school (kinda like 'tiger barbs'). And given the particular situation and/or species too which these overtures are directed, it can turn into anything from simply 'play', too sexual behavior, and, yes (in some cases) too bullying/domination. I think most of us would agree that eupterus is on the gregarious end of the scale as far as Syno's go; and I don't think S. eupterus would be the #1 kept Syno in the World if it were just a bully. Somewhat to the contrary, I call S. eupterus, adaptable, social and resourceful. So, as with people, I think we have to be careful labelling S. eupterus a bully. "Bully" is a general, loose, anthropomorphizing term that would at best be reserved for very specific situations. In this case I don't think we have enough information to jump too that conclusion.

[Viktor Jarikov]

That's a refreshing perspective. Good to keep in mind. It fits the picture and the picture is indeed that most of the time, IDK, 75%? 90%? a eupterus plays nice-to-tolerable.

On the other hand, there are well documented cases and articles describing eupterus horror stories and it may be hard to separate these two cases when the "social" behavior has just started:

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/c ... p?sid=4506

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... t=+euptera

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... t=eupterus

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... t=eupterus

Still, I'd respectfully disagree that eupterus is on gregarious end of Syno scale. I'd say multipunctatus is. Nigriventris. Adult eupterus is solitary in the wild, is it not?

Adaptable and resourceful? Yes. Social? I'd not say so. Am I wrong? Am I a minority?

EDIT Aug 4 2020: Hendre's well described case of eupterus hurting and killing bichirs: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/foru ... ye.732496/

[victorypark]

Thank you all for a great insight. It is greatly appreciated. If u r adamant it is the species u say it is than who am I to disagree. It certainly puts my mind at ease.

Im in Melbourne, Australia so Im none too sure how common/uncommon these species are.

Again thank you greatly.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Our pleasure if we helped any.

There is no doubt whatsoever about the fish ID. It is a eupterus.

Naturalart and I are simply thinking about the alleged aggression by the syno. I think Naturalart is more knowledgeable on the subject though.

[victorypark]

In saying the above, he's a cool "cat"....so to counteract this perceived issue I will add some african cichlids into the tank.

Oh and by the way the tank is a Juwel Vision 450 (litres) so ample space given he would be 8-10cms long.

Can we mix african and american cichlids????

Cheers all.

[naturalart]

Victor, to be clear; I've never snorkeled or dived the Niger or Upper Nile rivers (but hopefully one day ). But I have seen more than once, adult groups of S. eupterus. One very memorable experience was when on a behind the scenes tour of California Academy of Science, before the big 'makeover'. There was a 200-300gal. aquarium with the biggest piece of driftwood I'd ever seen in it. Under that driftwood in a school, were about 8 of the biggest, fattest, fully-finned, lovely adult S. eupterus I've ever seen. Each fish was at least 8-9 inches SL. In the brief time I was able to observe them, I saw no skirmishes or torn fins at all. The tour leader didn't know much about them at all, but still a memorable moment for me.

From what all I've read and observed they are known to school as adults. Has anyone actually seen this fish school actively in the wild?

[Birger]

Can we mix african and american cichlids????

I do not think that is a great idea...Central americans usually are quite fiesty and conditions needed can be quite different. As for African cichlids there is quite a variety of cichlids in Africa from many dfferent areas, I am assuming you are talking about rift cichlids.For rift cichlids I would find rift Synodontis.


birger