Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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simon g
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by simon g »

I have a Synodontis Eupterus here in the UK that is nearly 28 years old. It has survived living in 1 inch of water after my tank seal failed (until I returned home from work), aswell as our thatched cottage being completely destroyed by fire one night in 2005 (a fireman rescued "Kevin" the following day using a biscuit tin).Surely the most hardy type of catfish!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

2012 update! My Syno has reached 28 years of age! :-BD She (?) still rules the tank, too! :))
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

simon g wrote:I have a Synodontis Eupterus here in the UK that is nearly 28 years old. It has survived living in 1 inch of water after my tank seal failed (until I returned home from work), aswell as our thatched cottage being completely destroyed by fire one night in 2005 (a fireman rescued "Kevin" the following day using a biscuit tin).Surely the most hardy type of catfish!
Wow! What a story of a truly remarkable Syno!! :-BD
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Scleropages »

What a story, indeed. What some of these old catfish have gone through is remarkable. 28 years old. Wow! Keep up the good work. :YMPARTY:
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

=(( It is with great sadness that I post this. I watched in horror Christmas day as my 28-year-old Syno died. I noticed the day before she was just cruising slowly on the bottom and not bullying her tank mates as usual. She nibbled at a little food that day, too. Other than that little change in behavior she looked fine. So, on Christmas day I checked on her at the exact moment she trembled as if having a seizure and it was over that quick. I still look at the tank expecting to see her. I guess her heart finally gave out. She had a long life and I feel like I've lost a longtime friend.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Birger »

Really sorry to hear about this happening.

You had given this fish a long and wonderful life and it was a great example of what decent care can do.


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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by unblinded »

Wow, so sorry to hear this. When you have one for almost 30 years you have a different level of attachment. I still can't believe it.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Scleropages »

My condolences for your loss. At 28+ years, that catfish sure had a good run!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

Thank you, Everyone. I'm still numb about it. I guess I thought she'd live forever, silly me. Her death was so quick and unexpected I guess it blindsided me. One minute I'm looking at her and the next she shivered as if shocked and was gone.

28+ years was a good run (we estimated she was a year old when I got her by size). I hope to hear of others having the same attachment and long life of their Synodontis.

I guess the best thing to help with the grief is find another baby and grow old(er) together. :)
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by naturalart »

I'm sorry for your loss, but you took the words right out of my mouth; why not celebrate/memorialize your syno by purchasing a group of youngsters? It would definitely take your mind off the grief, and extend your and our knowledge about this species. My 2¢
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

Thank you, naturalart.

My problem now is finding somewhere to buy another Syno. Can anyone recommend a reliable source around the central Mississippi area?
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by andywoolloo »

28 yrs is amazing, great job. Sorry for your loss.

I had 5 in a 75 and they just got too big for the tank, I rehomed 4 and kept one, his name is Johnny and is 6 yrs old. Just a baby apparently!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by MatsP »

PinkButterfly wrote:Thank you, naturalart.

My problem now is finding somewhere to buy another Syno. Can anyone recommend a reliable source around the central Mississippi area?
Sorry for your loss - it had a very long, and well done on keeping it alive for that long, you must obviously have been looking after it very well.

If you are after S. euptera, I'm not sure [not that I know anywhere in central Mississippi - it's one of the states I'd like to visit sometime], but if you are looking for "some interesting Synodontis", I think Rehoboth Aquatics have a few interesting fish available.

If you scroll down on this list, there are some Synodontis available - but S. euptera is listed as "out [of stock]":
http://www.rehobothaquatics.com/West%20 ... 0stock.htm

--
Mats
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

Sorry for your loss - it had a very long, and well done on keeping it alive for that long, you must obviously have been looking after it very well.

If you are after S. euptera, I'm not sure [not that I know anywhere in central Mississippi - it's one of the states I'd like to visit sometime], but if you are looking for "some interesting Synodontis", I think Rehoboth Aquatics have a few interesting fish available.

If you scroll down on this list, there are some Synodontis available - but S. euptera is listed as "out [of stock]":
http://www.rehobothaquatics.com/West%20 ... 0stock.htm

--
Mats
Thank you, Mats! And thank you for the link.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

andywoolloo wrote:28 yrs is amazing, great job. Sorry for your loss.

I had 5 in a 75 and they just got too big for the tank, I rehomed 4 and kept one, his name is Johnny and is 6 yrs old. Just a baby apparently!
Thank you, Andy!

I hope you have Johnny for as long as I had mine and even longer!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by unblinded »

I recently let my 3 year old daughter pick out 1 fish to call her own. She picked out the lone Syno Euptera. I'm assuming it's because the Euptera is the biggest in the tank. She named it Spongebob. I've had "Spongebob" since it was 2" back in 2007. Seems like when she gets old enough to really have a tank of her own she will actually get to take care of Spongebob for several years.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by simon g »

I am so sorry to read about your loss. It may seem strange to other people how attached you can become to a "mere" fish. But when you see them every day for so many years and they seem to greet you excitedly at feeding time, it must leave a sense of loss when they are no longer there. After 29 years my Syno is like part of the family.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by PinkButterfly »

simon g wrote:I am so sorry to read about your loss. It may seem strange to other people how attached you can become to a "mere" fish. But when you see them every day for so many years and they seem to greet you excitedly at feeding time, it must leave a sense of loss when they are no longer there. After 29 years my Syno is like part of the family.
Hi Simon,

So, you have a 29-year-old!! Fabulous! :-BD I hope you have yours many more years.

I just picked up a tiny baby this past weekend. Have to look very close to see it in my 125-gal tank. Will have to be extra diligent in feeding for the little guy (or gal).

Thank you for the kind words. :)
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Last edited by Viktor Jarikov on 02 Feb 2016, 03:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Schall »

Hello,

this is my Snodontis euptera, he is 25 cm long and 20 years old!
image.jpeg
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Best regards
Marvin
Sorry, my english is not very good!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Viktor Jarikov »

You must have just gotten it, right? It looks like it could use much TLC.

Tender loving care.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Schall »

Hello,

i have bought them from a friend

Best regards
Marvin
Sorry, my english is not very good!
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Viktor Jarikov »

12-14 year old eupterus plus extras https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/foru ... sh.679919/
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by Annabellam »

Wow! 27 years is a pretty long time congratulations! It is encouraging to know that they can live so long with proper care. Very encouraging to some of us starting over.
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Re: Synodontis eupterus lifespan

Post by ejmal »

I bought 2 catfishes when I moved into my first apartment. The larger fish died about 21 years old after a complete water change. The smaller is about 26 years old now.
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