PlanetCatfish.com

Hi,

I was talking to the owner of my LFS today and he told me that he could order some microsynodotis lamberti in for me if I wanted. As I have never kept any species of Microsynodontis before I don't know anything about them. Could anyone give me any info about keeping them? i.e
*Water parameters, temprture, current ect
*Their full size
*Recommended tank size
* wether they should be kept in a group or signally
* and recommended tank mates.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, CatBrat

The requireemnts of most Microsynodontis are similar. Read this and this for info.

Microsynodontis lamberti is not a species exported for the trade. I suspect you have the undescribed Nigerian species.

Hi Silurus,

Thanks a lot for the info. I just have two more questions, if I was to buy a group of them (maby 4 or 5) would they be alright living in a 3' tank with a small Jaguar Cat ( Liosomadoras oncinus) of around 8cm? And have these cats have been bred in captivity?

Cheers, CatBrat.

They have not been bred in captivity AFAIK (although there are some people in this forum who are trying to get them to breed).
You're safer keeping them with smaller African barbs or tetras (or maybe other small catfish like Hara). I wouldn't trust the jaguar cat with them.

Thanks again Silurus,

I just remembered going into a fish store down country from me and seeing a fish labled as a Bumble bee Cat. This fish looked just like the pictures of Microsynodontis sp. 'Nigeria' in the Shanes World artical. I think that I might get a group and put them in a tank for themselves for now. Thanks for all the great advice. Now all I have to do is set the tank up, get the fish and try to get them to spawn.
Will I be able to distinguish the sexes of the fish easily or can you only tell when the fish are ready to spawn (ie full of eggs)?

Cheers, CatBrat.

Males should have a longer genital papilla, although given the size of the fish, it may not be that easy to make out. When they are ready to breed, the males are also a little more tuberculate (ie. have bumpier skin).

Well you can add my name to the list of people working with Microsynodontis.

A LFS in Cleveland just got in a tank full (50++) of what looks like Microsynodontis sp. 'Nigeria'.

At $2.88 ea. I have eight, will likely get more by the end of the week. I also got a 2cm long Auchenoglanis/Parauchenoglanis contaminant for that price!

Not a bad find!

i must say that i to had to join in the fun. i also purchased a few at $2.88. may go back and get a few more. interesting fish.

ken walker

i coundn't wait any longer. i went back to lfs and got 10 more of these guys. i now have a small colony of about 20. sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

ken