syno not looking happy

[ali12345]

Hi,
We are redecorating so I have had to move my oscars , synos, talking cats and synos to another tank. It has been a week now but things
are not looking good. I don't know if it the sandy substrate after gravel or just stress because he has no hiding place but one of my synos, the subordinate one of the 2 is semi in the open as are my polypterus. I have had a similar temporary situation when I move decor but never this long. He is quite an old chap at 17 so I can't help but worry. He will end up in my 10ft tank within the year when the little fish are moved out.
http://flickr.com/photos/23528841@N04/2724275161/


What do you think?
Alison

He has no actual injuries or skin lesions. He is usually a lot darker, dark brown and light brown with mottled pattern like syno koensis, syno schoutedini.

[loachy_406]

Hi! It's Aled.

So what exactly is the problem/question here? I'm a little confused. Which Syno are we talking about, just so we know?

Any Catfish will not be overly happy if they do not have many hiding places. Because of that they will lose some of their colour, but I'm sure you already know this with all the fish you keep! How big is the tank? is there anyhing else you could add to create more hiding places?

When I added an extra piece of Mopani wood/root my three S. nigriventris were immediately a lot more happy to come out in the open. They also coloured up better, and are now a lot braver.

[ali12345]

Hi,
there are plenty of hiding spaces. I can't figure out what is wrong - that's why I want people to have a look. Can you view the photo link ok?
thanks
Alison

[loachy_406]

The photo works fine. If you wanted to you can display the image in the post itself. Where the image is on the web right click - open image in new window. Copy the address and paste it into image tags.

(img)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/272 ... ?v=0(/img) I used the wrong brackets on this one.

As with my experience, maybe he likes the change and feels more comfortable not being completely hidden? But then, if he's happier now why wouldn't he get his colours back?

Also, how are you going to catch all the little fish from the 10ft tank? Surely they could all swim to the bottom and you wouldn't be able to reach them. I guess Alex could go scuba diving...

[ali12345]

Thanks for your help Aled.... Anyone else got any comments?
Alison

[andywoolloo]

do you think he is just changing colour to maybe blend into the sand colour? Or has his diet changed?

I have eupterus's. Wow yours in the pic is 17!! well done! Mine are mere babies then, at 9 months. Mine are on sand and love it but they each def need their own place. In fact they each need like three places LOL

[ali12345]

Well he is all recovered now. It must have been an injury because the brown colour returned slowly bit by bit.
Yes he is a good age. I plan to move him into my 500 gallon tank next year so I hope he makes it through.
Alison

[Richard B]

Well he is all recovered now. It must have been an injury because the brown colour returned slowly bit by bit.
Yes he is a good age. I plan to move him into my 500 gallon tank next year so I hope he makes it through.
Alison

Excellent news on the recovery & also on his/her impending new home