African Cats to go with Hemisynodontis membranaceus

thesonofdarwin · Post by **thesonofdarwin** » 24 Mar 2005, 14:39

Hey all - I'm looking for some cats to complement a 2-3(maybe 4) group of Hemisynodontis membranaceus I'm thinking of getting for my 150gal Cichlid tank, 8"-12" predatory Haps. From what I can find, the Hemi is peaceful, and I know many of the Syno species are not. I'd like to get a group of 4 or 5 of a Syno (or another larger suitable cat) that will be peaceful, but strong enough and large enough to stand up to the Haps. I was thinking njasse, but they are pretty hard to find, especially non-hybridized, and I don't want multi's. Suggestions? I'll probably be getting them from Armkes, if their available list may make things easier? http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/pricelist.htm

Post by **Silurus** » 24 Mar 2005, 14:47

If you're looking for njassae, just look one post down.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... hp?t=10703

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 24 Mar 2005, 15:11

is a riverine fish and will get large. As I only have a single specimen, I can't comment on group compatibility, but I would think two would be the max for a 150G with other fish.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 24 Mar 2005, 15:22

2 is rarely a good number with fish like these

I use to call it "ping till you pong"; I'm sure you can get the picture.
better keep 3 or more, or a single one.

thesonofdarwin · Post by **thesonofdarwin** » 24 Mar 2005, 15:31

Thanks Silurus, but I've already read that post - it offers one retailer and it seems to be the concensus from that post and other past ones that they are hybrids, so it isn't a tremendous help in this case. The 150 is hardly stocked with only about 12 fish in it with extreme overfiltration - AC500, Emp400, (2)Eheim2128, and a DIY Wet/Dry. The reason I was looking towards the Hemi's is because everyone and their brother has the 'normal' African Synos in their tanks, and I find them a tad dull. With the size of the Hemi's they won't fall as prey for my Haps (they are capable of picking off up to 4" fish), and they seem to be, from what I've found on them, interesting fish. I was sticking with what Armkes offers at the time because I have to have any fish I buy (cichlids, cats, etc) shipped to me, so it saves a great deal of money to buy from the same place where I'll be getting other things for other tanks. I have no problem keeping 3 of them either, but I was looking for more of a pure bottom dweller as well that isn't a pleco.

thesonofdarwin · Post by **thesonofdarwin** » 24 Mar 2005, 18:14

I guess I'm going to pursue another, smaller alternative. I'm thinking a grou of 5, maybe 6 Brachysynodontis batensoda. Would it be recommended to stop at those as my only "bottom" feeders, or would another cat group make a nice addition?

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 25 Mar 2005, 08:48

NO Synodontis is a "pure bottom dweller", like most other catfishes.

they cruise the entire tank, and often feed on the surface once they're sttled in the tank! it's definitely one of the major charms of these fish and contributes largely to their immense popularity.

Brachysynodontis are true Upsidedowners and thus roam the entire tank too.
they get fairly large as well. I'm not sure if they can cope with Malawian waterparameters like many other mediumsized Synodontis. It looks a bit more fragile to me, like decorus for example; but I may be wrong.....

why not go for the spectacular and very tough Synodontis angelicus? it can compete with the colors of the Haps by it's sheer beauty and it's definitely strong enough to cope with both Haps and Malawian water.
it can be kept in a group, but then you should get at least 4-5; because in small groups, THIS one is a notorious baddy!

if you want a true bottomdweller you should go for a single Anaspidoglanis macrostoma or a pair of Lophiobagrus or something.

but I advice still "going Syno" because you will see them, especially in a group.

thesonofdarwin · Post by **thesonofdarwin** » 25 Mar 2005, 18:21

Yeah, I was looking for peaceful ones though. Whatever ones I get will be housed with a group of clown loaches, so they can't be overly mean.