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Hi, I'm brand new to the forum and looking for some help in identifying what kind of catfish I have please.

I've attached a pic.

He's been acting differently in the last week and I've lost 2 new zebra danios overnight with no trace and my choice of culprits is either this one or an asian bumble bee cat I have.

CAN ANYONE PLEASE IDENTIFY WHAT KIND HE IS?

Many thanks

Hi and welcome to PlanetCatfish!



Birger

Thanks very much Birger. Now I know what he is!

Can I ask a question on this part of the forum?

Would it be likely this Synodontis has eaten my new danios overnight?

Before I got the danios last sunday he was sedantery and hid most of the day but since they arrived he's been hyperactive!

He's up and down the front of the glass and swimming round and round. Rarely stops.

I was thinking it was him as he seems to have the biggest mouth in the tank? so thought he'd maybe eaten them whole - no body or bits left (sorry for that vision) - but maybe its the asian bumble bee?

I've left the tank lights on last 2 nights and nothings been taken but I don't know want to keep doing that.

I'd be grateful for any advice you or anyone can give. MANY THANKS

These are fairly peaceful but are opportunistic feeders as are the if that is what you have, with the Pseudomystus being possibly more aggressive at night. Small fish like danios and tetras tend to slow down over night and these fish get more active so they are bound to come into contact with them ... who ever passes up a tasty snack.

Birger

Oh dear! I hate the thought the poor wee danios are like nightime appetisers!

I think I'll put some brine shrimp (sachets) in before bedtime in the hope they like that better!

Thanks very much for all your help - all the way from Canada ;) Beautiful place.

I've got a pretty hefty (5" total length?) of the same type of Synodontis hybrid, and he doesn't even touch the glowlight tetras I added because I was taking them off someone else's hands. My bet's on the Pseudomystus being the danio-eater!

i think the culprit is definately the pseudomystus

Thanks so much for the replies.

Oh dear, I've been blaming the wrong fish!

Is it likely the pseudomystus will get worse now he's had a taste?

As I've just had the danios for a week I was going to take them back to the shop to find a good home for them - one where they won't get eaten!

But I'm worried the pseudomystus will just get worse now.

Along with the two catfish I've got 2 blue gouramis, 3 black widows, 3 clown loaches, 2 serpae tetras and an otocinclus.

They've all been together about a year or so and no problems.

Why hasn't the otocinclus been touched as he's not much bigger than the danios?

The serpae tetras are the next smallest.

Does anyone think I'd be wise to find the danios a new home and just make sure I don't get any new additions as small as them in the future?

Or should I be looking for a new home for the pseudomystus?

I'd appreciate your help. Many thanks

I don't think "getting a taste" is an issue as such. These fish are natural predators, they will eat small fish (anything that fits in their mouth really), and danios, small tetras [such as Neons] will be the primary goals.

Larger fish should be safe.

As to what you keep and get rid of, I can't really recommend one thing above another - I personally keep catfish, other fish in the tanks are just for extra pleasure, but are not allowed to "intrude" on the catfish keeping. If there is a conflict, the other fish goes and the catfish stays.

--
Mats

Pseudomystus are notorious eaters of small tetras , danios etc - it's just what they do.

Otos are not quite as nice a mouthful as a danio but if the asian bumblebee gets really hungry, then anything small could be on the menu...

Thanks again for the replies

Made up my mind to take the danios back to the shop and they can find a good home for them!

The tanks been 'home' to the catfish for longer, and I'll just need to make sure I get no danio or neon tetra sized fish ever again!

Thanks for everyones help. What a great forum!

THANKS