Which syno to go with Congo tetra?

[Mol_PMB]

Hello All!

I'm planning a new tank with a Congo river theme. I'm keen to make a shoal of Congo tetras the centrepiece.

Of course, being a catfish lover I'd like to include one or more catfish. I understand that the Congo river basin is massive and very varied in character, and looking on the cat-e-log there are quite a variety of Synodontis species that live there. These include smaller shoaling species like the upsidedown

synodontis nigriventis

and larger individual species like

synodontis brichardi

.

Can anyone please suggest the Syno species that would actually live in the same environment as the Congo tetra?

Also any links to photos of the biotope would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Paul


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[Birger]

The holotype for the species

Phenacogrammus interruptus

(Congo Tetra) is from the Stanley Pool, or now known as Malebo Pool.)

I would use mid-size Congo Synodontis such as

Synodontis schoutedeni

,

Synodontis greshoffi

,

Synodontis dorsomaculatus

even larger like

Synodontis angelicus

and

Synodontis decorus

. Schoutedeni being a nice size, usually get along well and could handle the piggish Congo Tetra.The tetras may nip at the long dorsal of S.decorus.

Synodontis brichardi

come from the real fast water downstream of Malebo Pool.Not sure if the P. interruptus would be also in these really fast flowing waters.

Also the congo Tetra is an aggressive eater, so I would not mix a large schoal with the smaller or more peaceful species like

Synodontis nigriventris

,

Synodontis robertsi

or

Synodontis flavitaeniatus

...they might starve.

Then it also comes down to what you can get, most of the first list is generally available.

They do make for a nice display when the male tetras get running back and forth thru the afternoon in a large display tank...they need space to do this.

Birger

[Mol_PMB]

Hi Birger,

Many thanks for that quick and helpful response. The

Synodontis schoutedeni

looks a good size and very compatible. And it looks like they're in stock at Aqualife Leyland so I might have an excuse for a trip up there soon

Best Regards,
Paul

[Richard B]

What size will the new tank be?

If its large enough i'd be tempted to say

synodontis pleurops

as it is a majestic fish with youngsters having some very variable & pleasing markings although they do fade with age, if there is a bit of water movement then perhaps

synodontis soloni

but schoutedeni is a good call as long as there is enough space for territories for them all as i've found them boisterous at times in groups. If the tank is small

synodontis batesi

is sometimes available & although smaller is not as delicate as robertsi etc in my experience

[Birger]

Synodontis pleurops

would be good yes,and is from the Congo River....

Synodontis batesii

is from Cameroon Rivers I think.

Birger

[Richard B]

Habitat info includes Congo - type is from Cameroon - is this actually correct?

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks for the suggestions.

I found that Fishbase lists the Malebo/Stanley pool as a habitat in its own right, and the Synos listed as living there are as follows:

Synodontis acanthomias

Synodontis alberti

Synodontis angelicus

Synodontis caudalis

Synodontis congicus

Synodontis contractus

Synodontis decorus

Synodontis depauwi

Synodontis flavitaeniatus

Synodontis greshoffi

Synodontis nigriventris

Synodontis notatus

Synodontis nummifer

Synodontis pleurops

Synodontis pulcher

Synodontis schoutedeni

Synodontis soloni

The tank is 165L / 36gal nominal, approx 36"x18"x18" ish. I was thinking 6-8 Congo tetras and hoping it would be long enough for them. If I got a medium size syno like schoutedeni I was thinking of just the one. Are they happy on their own? I'd rather keep it simple than overcrowded.

Aqualife Leyland which is about 30 miles from me is advertising S.schoutedeni, S.soloni, S.flavitaeniatus, and S.alberti from list above (and others not on that list). Pier Aquatics is a bit closer to me and has S.angelicus and S.decorus, but those are probably too large for my tank.

Both shops also have Ctenopoma ansorgii which could be a possible top-dweller but probably too timid to go with the Congos.

(P.S. I hope this doesn't post twice; I just got an error first time round)

[Birger]

To be honest to see these

Phenacogrammus interruptus

at their best I would not go less then a 48 inch length...mostly for the before mentioned runs when spawning which is the best part of having these, the males run back and forth together in bursts of speed, fins spread.....even with 48 inches of length they are just getting going....in my 6 foot tank it is quite impressive.

Birger

[Birger]

Habitat info includes Congo - type is from Cameroon - is this actually correct?

I remember Anton (Lamboj) talking about being somewhere in Cameroon...I would have to look up where it was...and the

Synodontis batessi

were all around him...quite easily collected. I would doubt more there availability in the middle Congo.

Ohhh Stiassny et al. in the Fresh and Brackish water Fishes of Lower Guinea states they are also found in the Central Congo.
So they are widespread.


Birger

[Mol_PMB]

To be honest to see these

Phenacogrammus interruptus

at their best I would not go less then a 48 inch length...mostly for the before mentioned runs when spawning which is the best part of having these, the males run back and forth together in bursts of speed, fins spread.....even with 48 inches of length they are just getting going....in my 6 foot tank it is quite impressive.

Birger

You're right, of course. In this case the tank is existing and a given constraint. The Congo tetras in my LFS look stunning even in an 18" tank. So I would hope they would do well in mine.
If it's really not suitable then I will probably forget the Congo idea and do something else in this tank.
Most of my tanks and fish are South American, the majority from the Rio Negro. I have one Asian tank and was looking for a different theme that would suit my very soft water (KH=0.6 from the tap).


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[Richard B]

In a 36x18 tank, why not go for a group of either, congicus, flavitaeniatus, or nigriventris with some small african barbs & ctenopoma - this has the potential to be a stunning set-up

[Mol_PMB]

In a 36x18 tank, why not go for a group of either, congicus, flavitaeniatus, or nigriventris with some small african barbs & ctenopoma - this has the potential to be a stunning set-up

Thanks I do like this idea - the Ctenopoma are particularly interesting fish and having seen them in the shop I am rather keen on them.
Being more timid they would then of course allow a group of the smaller synos, which would be more entertaining than one big one.
How many synos would be right for this size tank?

[Birger]

I have a group of 15 to 20

Synodontis nigriventris

, 6

Synodontis robbianus

and three midsize

Ctenopoma acutirostre

in this size of tank...also a group of

Parailia pellucida

The tank has mostly branches and a few stones
The mentioned small african barbs are non existent in the suppliers here.

Birger

[Mol_PMB]

That sounds like a great combination - I shall do some more research on those species. Many thanks.
Paul


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[Richard B]

I've seen a few african small barb species at Aqualife in the past so you should have no problem getting them.

I'd be tempted to go with a dozen nigriventris & also half a dozen flavitaeniatus

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks! That seems like quite a lot of synos for the tank size, but I suppose not much different to the number of Cories I have in there at the moment (they are moving elsewhere).

[Richard B]

The flavis would be the only 'real' bottom fish as nigriventris like to hide in the branches & plants if they're available rather than hug the bottom

[naturalart]

I've kept Ctenopoma ansorgii and if you only get one specimen I'm afraid you will have one shy retiring dull fish on your hands. This fish needs a stimulant to show those beautiful colors we all see in the pics; another specimen or a another fish it feels challenged by. Also, if you chose barbs it might be best if you keep them small, probably smaller than the ansorgii. As mentioned these fish are shy and relatively slow eaters. They also favor a moderate to heavily planted tank.

You could cut down on the number of syno's Richard B suggest, say by half, and still be just fine.

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks again

If I get the Ctenopoma ansorgii I was thinking of getting several of them, maybe 5 or 6? Would that work or are they like Gouramis where you can only have one male?
There were a dozen or so at Pier last time I was there.

They would be the main mid-water dwellers in that case.

Decor-wise, I was thinking of having several large chunks of bogwood arranged with hiding places underneath and planted with Anubias on top, then some Bolbitis to provide higher plants, and a good population of floating plants on top. Does that sound reasonable?



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[Richard B]

Sounds very good - i'd try to go for more branched pieces of wood of you can get them as they offer greater flexibility & are more aesthecially pleasing

[Mol_PMB]

I can do that - like in my Farlowella tank

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[racoll]

If I get the Ctenopoma ansorgii I was thinking of getting several of them, maybe 5 or 6? Would that work or are they like Gouramis where you can only have one male?

They would be the main mid-water dwellers in that case.

They will live in groups no problem, and the tank is big enough for a good number.

I wouldn't say they were "mid-water dwellers". They are pretty lazy things and don't move around a lot, just tending to sit under a leaf most of the time. Perhaps I overfed mine. They are certainly prone to obesity, so limit the rations!

Don't let me put you off though, they are a cool fish and enjoyed keeping them a lot. Would be a nice breeding project once you have conditioned a pair.

[Mol_PMB]

I'm so glad I started this thread - I'm learning loads thanks to all for their contributions.


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[naturalart]

C. ansorgii are 'slow water' fish. Similar to betta's, the males like to set up territories. As mentioned they can be kept in close proximity and I haven't seen them actually kill each other (like male bettas do), but I've seen groups of them in tanks and its usually the same scenario where there is a dominant male and a bunch of cowering and stressed sub males and females. But they aren't schooling fish by nature. If it were me, I would get a couple of males and (if you're interested in breeding) a female.
Your setup for your tank sounds great (plenty of hiding and blind spots. The ansorgii males would split the tank like gouramis do and when they are particularly unhappy with each other you get to watch the flaring and firework colors!

[Mol_PMB]

Update:

I have finally got around to re-scaping this tank and getting my first synos.

In the end I chose to get:
6

Synodontis nigriventris

and
1

Synodontis flavitaeniatus

I must say, I'm very pleased with them so far and they seem to have settled in.

Thanks for all the advice.

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[bekateen]

If you want to mix up your ecosystem, you could add some dwarf African frogs Hymenochirus. There are several different spp. found in and around the Congo. They can handle a decent current, but they prefer slower water. They are fully aquatic, but occasionally gulp air, like Corys. I keep a few in my 36 gal community tank. They are peaceful but will stick up for themselves to get food. They prefer moving food, so live Tubifex worms are great, but they also like sinking pellets or flakes drifting on the current. If you have males and females, they'll try to breed. (They're easy to sex: males are thinner, smaller and have a big white gland - looks like a pimple- just behind their forearms.) Females lay their eggs on the water surface, floating. But those will quickly become food for the tetras or get sucked into your filter, so don't expect tadpoles.
In the US and Europe, mostly you'll find H. boettgeri or H. curtipes at LFS, but other spp. show up too, rarely.

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks - I'll look into them. They sound interesting One of the big branches in the tank does reach the surface so they would have somewhere to climb out if needed.


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[bekateen]

One of the big branches in the tank does reach the surface so they would have somewhere to climb out if needed.

Does your tank have a hood on it? If so, that should be safe, but if you have an lidless tank, that could be problematic. Although it's never happened to me at home (with my hooded tanks), I have had a few frogs climb out of lidless tanks at work, and when they did, they fell out of the tank, dehydrated on the floor, and died. They don't hop or jump out; they just scaled the walls of the glass to escape the open top.

These are fully aquatic frogs and don't need to be out of water for any length of time whatsoever. They spend most of their time on the aquarium floor, probing the substrate and the bases of plants looking for food. Occasionally, they will swim to the surface and just float there, usually holding on to the roots of frog bit and other floating plants, with just their noses out of water (by the way, that's a male in the photo - you can just make out the white bump behind his arm). My understanding is that in nature, they sometimes leave water to hide under moist leaf litter; but otherwise, they just stay in the water.

If your wood is sticking out of the water against the rim of the tank, I would not advise having these frogs, unless you want to find little mummified frogs on the carpet every so often. But if your wood sticks out of the water away from the aquarium rim, then it should be perfectly safe.

One of the fun aspects of these frogs is listening to males vocalize for mates - it's a soft pulsatile zipping sound, which males produce while (usually) resting at the bottom of the tank. Unlike other frogs, they don't surface to call because their voices are transmitted through water, not air. And when he grabs a female, the courtship starts at the bottom of the tank and they swim together to the top to lay their eggs, then return to the floor and repeat this all night long.

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks for all the info. This tank does have an enclosed hood so they could be an option
They do look very cute. I guess they like the same sort of water as the Congo fish (soft, slightly acidic)?
I'll see if I can find any at my local suppliers.


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[bekateen]

I know I've expressed concern about the tap water in my town in terms of safety. But its parameters are pretty good - soft and neutral. And since I breed apistos, I run the pH even lower than that. From month to month, I've measured pH anywhere from below 6 (that's where the API test scale ends) to 7.0, but not higher. More recently I've been using buffers to stabilize pH between 6.5 and 6.8. So your water (soft and slightly acidic) sounds fine.