Synodontis Euruptus... what tank??

polypterus · Post by **polypterus** » 18 Aug 2006, 21:19

I have had my Featherfin Syno for four years now. I got him as a tiny one inch baby and he (or she?) is now a full grown (6") adult. I just adore this fish. It was very shy at first but after a few years it started coming out into the light for feeding! I currently am housing him in a 90 gal tank with some tinfoil barbs, a smaller jaguar, a pim type cat, and a pleco. I don't know the species of the pleco (or pim for that matter!) but it seems to have maxed out at 5 inches. I should post pics sometime and maybe the catfish experts on here could help me id them. Anyway, my question is this... is it safe to keep the syno in this tank? The jag recently layed eggs and she is very territorial. she has the whole right side of the tank to herself right now. I have noticed some superficial wounds on the synos side lately. I always thought these cats were really tough but I am worried the jag will just kill him one night. The next largest tank I have is a fifty five gallon with a royal pleco, a sm. polypterus senegalus, and four angelfish. Would that tank be big enough for him? Which tank would he be safer and happier in? Thanks a lot for advice on this...

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 18 Aug 2006, 22:18

What kind of fish is the jaguar? I don't think you're talking about Liosomadoras oncinus, the jaguar catfish?

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 18 Aug 2006, 22:47

The Jaguar might very well be a Parachromis species; these 2 foot cichlids are not to be trifled with......

polypterus · Post by **polypterus** » 19 Aug 2006, 04:59

Sorry for not being clear! She is a jaguar cichlid Parachromis managuensis. Because I have a female I believe she maxes out at one foot. The males get bigger.

toddnbecka · Post by **toddnbecka** » 19 Aug 2006, 07:30

The 55 sounds like a nuch better option than a tank with a breeding jaguar. Are the eggs fertile, or did the female simply unload a batch w/out a mate?

polypterus · Post by **polypterus** » 19 Aug 2006, 15:51

I was thinking the 55 would be safer, I just was not sure if it is big enough for a 6" catfish? The jaguar female is the only cichlid in the tank, so there is no hope of her eggs being fertile. I definetly DON'T plan on getting her a mate! One jag is enough for me thanks! I don't need a thousand babies to take care of! Not to mention that with a mate around, every other fish in the tank would be a goner! It is very sad though, to watch her taking such good care of her eggs! She hovers over them 24/7, fanning them and protecting them!

toddnbecka · Post by **toddnbecka** » 19 Aug 2006, 16:18

I kept several adult Syno's in a 55, 2 eupterus and an angelicus, for years. As long as there is enough cover for the Syno to claim it's own territory, there shouldn't be a problem.

polypterus · Post by **polypterus** » 21 Aug 2006, 04:17

ok thanks for the advice. I will move him tommorow.