What kind of fish is this?

Hi -

I've had this large catfish in my tank for 4 years or more, and I'd like to know what kind he is. Someone told me he's a Synodontis, but I looked through image databases online and can't find a fish that looks exactly like him.



Sorry the image is so large, I can't figure out how to reduce it.

Also, he accidentally got fed twice yesterday. I had fed the fish earlier in the day, and then my dad fed them later, not knowing that I had already done so. He subsequently developed what looked to me like a bloated stomach, and I was worried about him. He looks a bit better today, less bloated, but still kind of "groggy" - if it's possible for a fish to be that way. Think he'll be alright?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

Wow -- thank you. I knew something wasn't right as I looked through the Synodontis species, none of them came remotely close to looking like him.

Unfortunately, he has grown to be about 4-5 inches long and is in a 10-15 gallon tank. I didn't buy him and I have no idea where he came from - my father or sister must have bought him from a petstore years back. I really don't have any other tank options at this point, so if he's done okay thus far, should it be alright to leave him as is? We try to keep the tank clean and with only a few fish in it.

wataugachicken said:

he probably won't live out his full potential lifespan, but if that picture up there is current, i'd say he looks like you've been taking good care of him so far. of course, if you are able to get your hands on a larger setup, it wouldn't hurt.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Yea, I'd say it's pretty current - from the beginning of this year, and he doesn't look any different now. He's got his days where he swims around alot, and others where he just kind of stays at the bottom of the tank and doesn't do much of anything. Nevertheless, he always eats well and likes to go through the gravel and get at whatever's lying on the bottom of the tank. I tried shrimp pellets with him at the suggestion of a fish-savvy guy in a petstore (who I'm starting to think doesn't really know what he's talking about..), but he's always done well on flakes so that's what he eats now.

I'd guess that his optimal living environment in a tank of that size would be to live alone. Would you agree?