I think these Synodontis hybrids are the same, no?

[Viktor Jarikov]

I realize this is of no priority because syno hybrids are a big turn off for most on here but thought I'd still make a post.

I think

Synodontis sp_hybrid(1)

and

Synodontis sp_hybrid(7)

and perhaps even

Synodontis sp_hybrid(2)

are the same fish.

If I were correct, these entries should be rolled into one but first I'd like to hear your opinions and see your photos too.

The reason being is that hybrid 1, the most common one that's everywhere, aka valentiana syno, jaguar syno, leopard syno and other silly made up names, changes its appearance as it grows.

For instance, here one of my syno hybrids 1 named "Krol" as it looked 5 years ago when it was also ~5 years of age and ~6" TL:

And here is Krol today at the age of ~10 years and ~8"-9" alongside another one of my syno hybrid 1, which is ~2 years old, ~4". The loss of the spots was gradual and even over the years.

[Viktor Jarikov]

...

[Viktor Jarikov]

Krol was featured here in a 2010 thread, bottom of page 1 and top of page 2: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... it=120+gal

[Viktor Jarikov]

Bump.

[Birger]

It is only my opinion, but I think there are enough differences that they could be a different mix...that said there could be a lot of variation within one brood. It is really hard to say without knowing the parents.

Birger

[Richard B]

Viktor

Whilst I agree with part of your post (about the significant changes as the fish grows) I think the 3 hybrid types you've clog-linked are all different. As Birger has said, there are huge variations within batches produced.

In conversation with someone who deliberately produces hybrids, he said one of his aims was to produce a multipunctatus with the huge trailing dorsal filament that decorus has. it could be that hybrids have been crossed with true species to create a '2nd generation' hybrid (not sure if this is technically the correct description) but this could add to the variations we are seeing.

I think hybrid 7 & 8 could be the same.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanks, guys. Much appreciated. I'll trust your expert eye on this.

Perhaps a few pictures of Krol at 5 and 10 years of age could be then added to the hybrid (1) entry but not necessary, especially if more work is thought to be needed to make sure they belong there.

Indeed there appears to be a significant appearance variation within the hybrid (1) Cat-elog photographs as it is.

[Richard B]

Indeed there appears to be a significant appearance variation within the hybrid (1) Cat-elog photographs as it is.

Absolutely - I'm not sure these are actually all the same 'mix' rather than similar looking fish that have been grouped together as a 'likely or best guess'

[Viktor Jarikov]

Right ... but on the other hand I'd not expect anything more for these. Neither is there a need for more, imho.

The Cat-elog entries help answering basic questions about hybrid synos and that's probably adequate at the moment.