Holy Grail finally found--the African Redtail!

[Chrysichthys]

These are

Synodontis clarias

I got at Wholesale Tropicals in London yesterday. They're pale from the stress of being transported. Their normal colouration is dark grey with pink tails.



Wholesale has 5 or 6 more if anyone's interested, but be quick, because I think they'll sell fast. I have been looking for this species for 7 or 8 years now.

I'll try to get some better pics once they've settled in. They're quite elusive, darting around the back of the tank.

[Marc van Arc]

Congratulations! I can certainly imagine how you feel

[Richard B]

Nice one Chrysichthys - i've not seen many of these. The ones i've kept (in the lfs) were not as hardy as many other synos.

Also i've never noticed the spotted body like on the specimens in your photo - what size are they?

[MatsP]

As if I have to ask: Please send Jools some pictures once they are settled in, as there's only two in the Cat-eLog at present.

--
Mats

[Chrysichthys]

i've never noticed the spotted body like on the specimens in your photo - what size are they?

They're babies, about 3 inches. The spots are only visible when they're stressed. They've gone back to normal colour now, and they've started feeding. I'm giving them pigment-enhanced food (TetraPrima) and minced prawns to try and bring out the tail colour. It's apparent now but not very pronounced yet.

Does anybody know what I can expect in terms of temperament? I'm keeping them with S. filamentosis, because the fillies never bother anybody. But the reverse might not be true when the clarias are bigger.

[Richard B]

The ones i've had were 5" TL. Tail was very well coloured. They didn't mix well with Eupterus, being on the receiving end of the other synos inquisitiveness - no malice but they didn't like the attention. It was not mixed with any other syno species so i can't advise there.

[andywoolloo]

wow! that is going to be a big syno!

from the pics here it is very cool with the pink tail!

[syno-kev]

Hi,
keep an eye on the clarius it can be one of the more aggressive catfish in the species not as bad as schall but never the less can be a bully a bit worse than angelicus when it comes to mixing them with other synos .
be on your guard

kev .

[Richard B]

Interesting observations Syno-kev.

Chrysichthys - any chance of an in-tank pic or two when they're settled?

[pturley]

Their temperment is about the same as S. schall IME.

EDIT: I suppose I can fill in a wee bit more details of my (second hand) experiences with this fish.

A friend of mine picked one up at auction (~7" TL)and had it in a 125g tank with African cichlids. This was in '94~'95. He sold it a few months later as everything in the aquarium cowered from this fish. It would boldly cruise the middle of the tank, occasionally darting at whatever fish poked it head out of cover.

I don't believe the owner lost any fish, just lots of tattered fins, missing scales and no breeding (which was apparently the last straw with him).

[Chrysichthys]

I know they have a reputation for aggression, but at this stage they're too small to really tell. Mostly they hide in the bogwood and dash out to feed.

I'll try to get some pics when they're bigger and bolder, and (hopefully) have nice red tails.

[Richard B]

Look forward to them

[Birger]

A friend of mine picked one up at auction (~7" TL)and had it in a 125g tank with African c*****ds. This was in '94~'95. He sold it a few months later as everything in the aquarium cowered from this fish. It would boldly cruise the middle of the tank, occasionally darting at whatever fish poked it head out of cover.

I don't believe the owner lost any fish, just lots of tattered fins, missing scales and no breeding (which was apparently the last straw with him).

I like this story, how often do you see syno's or many other cats thrown in with boisterous cichlids and in tatters with no cover, it is good to see it go the other way sometimes( actually I like cichlids as well )

Birger

[Richard B]

although we are getting a bit off track here (sorry chrysichthys) i managed to obtain my latest granulosus (granulosa - sorry scientists) because it's owner has noticed it taking a greater, & undesired interest in his prize frontosas. It clearly ruled that tank.

Now mixed with other synos in is way down the pecking order & will shy away from polli less than half his size!

[Chrysichthys]

I once introduced an angelicus into a tank with an ocellifer, and the ocellifer declared war on it, so I took the angelicus out. A couple of years later I tried again and they got along fine. So you never know.