syno multi compatability

stallion81 · Post by **stallion81** » 04 Mar 2004, 17:23

Hello. Was wondering if a cuckoo cat would be compatible with 1- 3" FF syno , 1-2.5" lace syno , 1 -3"asain bumblebee( I now think it is the bumbleebee jelly cat) , 1-5.5" sailfin plec and 6 mbuna cichlids ( 1-2.5" range) in a 55Gal with a 48" by 19" footprint. These fish have been together for 5 weeks now and have had all for about 4-6 months. The plec will be going to LFS at around 10" or so(bought before research). Read the cuckoo can hold own with rift lake cats and cichlids ,but I dont want trouble. The BBcat and the FF syno hide by eachother and occasionally trade "places" , nice to see. Ive always wanted a cuckoo but not available here much but LFS got 3 couple days ago. So if its possible let me know , also do they get bigger than 6" ? Any info appreciated.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 04 Mar 2004, 18:53

This should work out ok for the time being. Only the eupterus (and possibly the "lace cat") will get pretty big, and agressive towards other Synos. I had one about 7" that just swam around the middle of my 135g all day chasing anything that got near it.

As a side note, I hope you plan to get more mbuna too. Those 6 will likely end up being 1-3, depending on the rockwork when they get bigger & more territorial. And try to avoid zebras or the kennyii, they get a bit big for a 55g. Plan for around 15 of them and put enough filtration on there to support a 100g tank or more.

The more you have, they safer they (and the S.multi most importantly!) will be.

Tyler

stallion81 · Post by **stallion81** » 04 Mar 2004, 20:16

Thank you DFI . Appreciate the quick response. Well I just got back from paying for 1 ,Ill pick it up on Saturday(it'll be there 6 days then). Was "told" they were wild, and its our most reputible LFS =). Had to reserve ,only $5 if I back out. So far I have 3 EL's , 1 cobalt blue , 1 RZ and 1 flameback pseudo. Oh and a julie regani(lake T). Ive had all for 4 months in same tank, no agression yet! Im waiting for a couple more ELs form a breeder friend , maybe 4 or 5 , I think I have 1 male and 2 F now. I do have a 125gal but the wife doesnt want that till we move (prob nother 3-4 years). Suppose i could set it up up or downstairs if I had to ,but that tank is only longer and higher ,not much deeper. Well I'm pumped now , been fishin for 8 months and they are the 1st I seen round here. Catfish rock!!!

stallion81 · Post by **stallion81** » 04 Mar 2004, 20:22

Oh sorry,filtration is 1 penguin 330 and 1 whisper 30/60 , 12" airstone, 250 watt heater , 3 pvc pipes and tons of limestone caves , a little driftwood and open area in center and front , and plastic plants.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 05 Mar 2004, 20:34

Most welcome... That all sounds like it'll work out just fine for the time being, but as the fish grow in size and # you'll probably need more filtration. What you have I'd call a minimum for a 55g tank, those cartridge-style power filters are HIGHLY overrated by their makers. Plan on eventually replacing 1 w/ a larger unit or canister filter.
Most importantly for Synos & mbuna tho, rocks. Tons of rocks, the more the merrier. This will prevent you from seeing any chunks of fin bitten off your multipunctatus by the other 2 Synos. But do remove the driftwood, this isn't good for the high pH and hardness that these fish like. How big are the multis anyway? If they're pretty small, chances are they're tank-raised but this really doesn't matter.

Also to venture off-topic a bit, what exactly is an EL? Yellow labs? These and the flamback are great for your tank (along w/ other dwarves like demasoni, saulosi, etc.) but the zebras may cause headaches later so keep an eye on em.

But I tell you what, lookin at my 100g tank (18x18x72") all pathetic & empty is what got me back into fish a couple years ago. So don't let that poor 125 go to waste, no matter where it has to be set up! At least then the filtration wouldn't have to be upgraded on the 55 and it could be used for something like raising baby multis, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind the company of a few mouthbrooder babies as well.. heh

stallion81 · Post by **stallion81** » 05 Mar 2004, 22:18

Well 1st what do u suggest for replacement filtration? Whisper 30/60 could be used elsewhere,but I dont want canister for the 55(the 125 YES). 2ND The Driftwood is for the sailfin plec , though I dont see him on it and had him for 3 months w/out DW and grew just fine? Does he "need it?" It would create more cave space if gone. Oh and he is my oldest fish at 6+ months owned and has grew 4+ inches since owned.The lace cat does "use" it regularly as a home. I do change H2O every week (20%) and tap H2O is high and hard (no fluxuations there ). 8.0 PH and hard. 3rd the ELs are yellow labs and "my" RZ seems to be the most mellow , and all are 1.5" plus now I have my tape out. 4th the multi I picked out is 3.5" , I wanted the smallest at 3" but he/she had a broken pec fin(the spine piece)bout half missin but was the "fattest". Mine I think is male and the other 1 was a 4" male I think. And 5th yes I agree with the 125 ,but in my house (850 sq ft a floor) the wife says no. He he good thing I dont rent the upstairs =). Oh and I love the look of demansi what would u suggest for more cichlids and I could get rid of any cichlid I have now for I have a friend with bout 15 tanks and he can take anything from me xcept the plec LOL. And finally thank you again DFI.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 05 Mar 2004, 22:58

Yes those would be wild-caught multis then, especially since one had a broken fin (this makes no difference as it'd grow back).
I haven't read anything about sailfins needing wood in their diet and I've seen plenty huge and beautiful examples that never had any.
And your mbuna are still very small... give the zebras time and they're show you what jerks they can be, but of course females are much more laid-back.

Also I'd suggest something like the big emperor bio-wheel filter when you upgrade, it's a fairly decent design for a cartridge filter. Except for that stinkin non-removable motor that makes you buy a whole new filter if the coil windings ever burn out (unlikely). I'm just not very impressed at all with the performance of whisper filters.

But hey it all sounds like it's goin great for the time being, especially since the multi gets to be the biggest Syno for now!