Surprise Baby Synos!

[Jools]

Yeah, this is not a common occurrence at all, so well done. Look forward to updates on their progress - in about 6 months we should have a better idea about ID. Little is know about what the various species of Synodontis look like at this size, so it's a waiting game that we're all interested in! What we could do in the meantime is have a look at pics of all the different Synos in the tank to make sure those IDs are all correct?

Cheers,

Jools

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Sadly, I hadn’t taken many shots lately, due to my big move – but I did take this one last one, for no reason other than to show the guy buying the tank (that it held water). Who knew, I had Syno babies lurking about!



As you can see, it’s a standard 125g tank with crushed coral. I kept the temperature (while it was up and running) between 80 and 82 degrees. My Ph was in the high 7s. The water quality was very consistent, not much variation. Filtration included 2 Eheim 2217s. When I found them, the water had been standing for about 5 days, no heat no filtration. UUgg.

Over the past 5 years, in this particular tank, I kept mainly my more aggressive Cichlids, and those Synos that weren’t behaving in my mild tank (also a 125g, the tank where I kept my Grannies). Some pix below - these guys may be the parents: Angelicus and Brichardi (not the Multi, I had moved him out of that tank since the pix was taken). Or, it could have been the 2 Angelicus in that tank - but I had sold one a month+ prior. OR, they could have all been *having fun* and lady cat just mated with the fellow with the nicest smile - who knows. But, I'm posting some random pix of the occupants of that tank (from years ago). You'll also notice the *fake* Granulosus(es) I had, they were also given away early, so I'm pretty sure they weren't part of the mix.









Either way – in 6 months, we should see exactly *who* they are … hoping they’ll continue to mature in the small tank they’re in now. Since my move, I’ve downsized from 18 tanks to 6, plus a new Terrapin tank – that’s 7 and the baby Syno tank … totaling 8. The number of tanks are growing again!  BTW, I’m reluctant to actually tell you what I have the babies in … but they seem to be doing ok for now. The WERE in a breeding net, in my 125g Buttikoferi tank – but one jumped out and was LOST until I nearly vacuumed him up (glad I found him, but OMG!). Then, I fired up a 6g Fluval Edge – they were both in there all happy – until they were GONE! Got sucked up thru an opening in the pre-filter, thru the filter, and found under the impeller! Well, that’s 3 of their catfish *9 lives* … they seem safe now (new, secure pre-filter). I’ll be setting up a 20gL soon as a grow out tank …

[Maccus, posts: 94]

Interesting. Only thing of note in that to me is the temp. I've never kept mine that high. If I got baby synos, I 'd hope they could have my extra fifty five gal.

[Sandee, posts: 41]

... 20g, 55g, 125g - yes, bigger tanks in the future!

[Scleropages, posts: 425]

Thanks for the info, Sandee. If you don't mind me asking, can you describe how you did water changes on the tank? (i.e.-how often?, what % of water did you change?, filled with tap water?, any other particulars?) Thanks again!

[Richard B, posts: 6338]

Were there also petricola & Lucipinnis in the tank at one point? Looks like it from the pix.Depending on when these were removed, lucipinnis could be a possibility but maybe angelica which is what i'm hoping for - the decora looks too small.

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Never ever. Those pix were of Synos in my mild tank. Gotta be Brichardi mix ... 'she' was the last one to go.

Regarding my water changes - every week, 20%. Tap water with conditioner. Nothing special. Spirulina flake. Mysis every so often as a treat.

Lastly, stupid of me not to pay closer attention. But glad they look healthy and are growing quickly ...


Sandee | Sent from my iPhone!

[Scleropages, posts: 425]

Thanks, Sandee. Best of luck raising those little critters. Keep us posted as they mature--we especially like pics!

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Thanks, Sandee. Best of luck raising those little critters. Keep us posted as they mature--we especially like pics!

And I love taking pictures! Will do!

[Sandee, posts: 41]

I just shot this HD video - except for when it does an auto-focus, you can REALLY see some detail on these 2 little guys. The tank bottom is bare, so you'll see a reflection - but that's actually helpful. You can clearly see their white barbels, eyes and fins. Big bellys as they just ate and were pretty playful ...

[Sandee, posts: 41]

From the video ...




Sandee | Sent from my iPhone!

[andywoolloo, posts: 2744]

thats fantastic !!

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Sad news. One of the baby Synos died today. It appears he wandered into the core of the Rena heater and didn't know how to get out (?) - got too hot (?) - I'm guessing. I saw his tail, carefully removed him and saw he was barely alive. He wiggled a few times, then stopped.

Question - a few of you have expressed interest in these guys ... in the spirit of education and awareness, I'd be happy to preserve this little guy and send him to you. Let me know the steps to take ... happy to help. PM me if you'd like. Here are some pictures ... maybe you can tell what he was (Birchardi, etc.?). BTW, he was about 1/2" ...





Trying to take good care of my 1 remaining Syno ...

[Dave Rinaldo, posts: 1758]

I use Everclear 190 (95%). Ethanol is best if you have access to it.

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Well, the little guy is growing well! I so wish I didn't lose the other one, but doing my best to care for this baby!

He's tough to video, but you can see he's got some good definition now.

[Scleropages, posts: 425]

Good to see the little one darting around. Looks like it's got a little more meat on it now. Sorry to hear about the loss of the other one, but, as a fellow tropical fish hobbyist, I'm sure you are familiar with having some great specimens die.

Sandee, as a suggestion, I'd like to recommend that you hold your camera (iPhone?) rotated 90 degrees. It will provide a much bigger picture when you watch it on a monitor/TV screen. $10 says you're using an iPhone and holding it upright. A lot of people mistakenly do this. You should hold it sideways. I can't tell you how many videos I've seen posted on youtube where the picture is this way. It only fills up 1/3 of the screen. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Anyway, that's my suggestion.

Keep up the good work with the syno fry!

[Sandee, posts: 41]

Busted, yeah - I forget how much better it looks landscape. Next time for sure! But thanks for watching ...

[Maccus, posts: 94]

Oh no, I hope the other baby survives.

[Steve GT, posts: 55]

Wow congrats mate

Can't believe they survived hard little things arnt they

Shame about one of them dying lets hope the other one keeps out of mischief

[tjudy, posts: 85]

The macro image of the deceased baby shows the black bars running out the top and bottom of the caudal fin that the Tanganyikan species have.