synodontis alberti and tiny tank mates

[november, posts: 31]

hi there,

i was wondering if S.alberti will combine with smaler fish like neolebias (who will reach 3 cm's in length).

one keeper mentioned they will leave them alone wich i somehow find hard to believe.

no need to hold back,all info is welcome.

thanks in advance

[naturalart, posts: 321]

I've kept my alberti with young Hemmigramus rodwayi, and Meglamphodus sweglisi. These fish being no more than 2.5cm in length. Never seen the alberti even think about munching them. I've had this fish for about 5yrs. And even thought I don't know what happens at lights out, I think you should be safe.

[Richard B, posts: 6307]

It used to be said, as a bit of advice for fishkeepers (when they didn't know about cats), that the longer the barbels a catfish had, the more predatory it was likely to be.Think corys=short and pim pictus=long.

Alberti are NOT like this & seldom eat tiny tankmates. It does happen but in my experience its only when the alberti are big and with livebearer fry etc. Alberti dont actively hunt fry down but eat ant small piece of food o the bottom of the tank after lights out, which might be slumbering fry.

Well fed individuals with the species you indicate should be ok. There is never a guarantee but its most likely you'll have no problems.

[november, posts: 31]

thank you both,just what i needed.
the opening post was referred to naturalart's words but the pair of you couldn't be clearer.

good effort!

[Richard B, posts: 6307]

I don't know what the availability is like over there but i've seen a couple of tanks full of 2" albertis over the last couple of years

[november, posts: 31]

true,
i've phoned the lfs a couple of times and there's only 5 left who are 7 to 8 cm's in length.

since my tank is not ready yet and 5 are not enough we agreed to keep contact till the next shipment arrives,new ones will be no problem he said,we'll see...

i also prefer a group of similar sized fish and you'll never know what the next income will bring.

i was told by a "tank mate" they truely are stunning

all i can do is getting my tank ready (wich takes too much time) and wait