New Upside Down Catfish

[cmartin]

Just brought the little guy home and acclaimated him to the tank. He loves the driftwood and hiding places and seems to exploring every inch of the tank.

I plan to feed him quality flake food, freeze dried bloodworms, and maybe sinking shrimp wafers. Any other suggestions?

I have read that they are great 'community' fish - hope that is right.

I hope to get pics of him tomorrow - keeping the lights off for tonight.

[SchizotypalVamp]

What;s the scientific name of the cutey? Many syno species can go by that name. If he's the guy who grows to 4inches then he'll want a school.

[TMDragon]

What;s the scientific name of the cutey? Many syno species can go by that name. If he's the guy who grows to 4inches then he'll want a school.

:iagree:

[cmartin]

Sorry - no scientific name on them at the LFS. Is there any way to tell by looking at them?

He is a medium brown and speckled with darker spots. Sorry - I had no idea there were multiple types.

[SchizotypalVamp]

I would go back and ask. One other commonly sold syno grows to 8 inches, to give you an idea of the disparate animals that description could fit. A pic could help, though.

[cmartin]

I was speaking with the LFS staff - and he actually seemed to know what he was talking about. I asked about the size they would grow to and he said about 3 inches. He also said that these were 'real upside down cats' not the aggressive ones that are sometimes sold under the same name.

I have been checking the internet for pictures - so far mine seems to match.

If they prefer to have more of their own kind in the tank, then I guess my arm could be twisted to go back and pick up another couple. Would 3 be OK?

[Lupin]

Synodontis nigriventris?

[SchizotypalVamp]

agree with Lupin. I've heard they grow to 4, though never actually kept them myself. Get a true school of 4 or 5.

[cmartin]

I will have to force myself to go back to the store tomorrow - LOL

I will try to get the right name and then if they are Synodontis nigriventris I will pickup another 3. That will give them a school of 4. Once they pass QT they will likely end up in my 72 Bowfront so they will have lots of room.

[cmartin]

Went back to the LFS and the little guy I picked up last night is Synodontis Nigriventris - so... I bought 3 more.

I did a lot a research on them last night and once they grow out a little I will put them in the 72 gal. They will have lots of room in there and 4 Bronze Cories to play with too.

I checked 3 times today and could not find the little guy in the tank. He/she was hiding - snuggled into the twisted driftwood in the tank. The only way I could find him was to tap on the driftwood - then he came out for a minute.

After I acclaimated the 3 new arrivals and let them go in the tank it was great fun to watch. They all zoomed around the tank - upside down of course - and then all ended up in a pile in one corner. About that time the first cat - from last night - came out from under the driftwood - and swam by the pile. The 3 newbies took off after the 'oldtimer' - it was like a parade - all around the driftwood and from every angle you could imagine. It was like they were happy to see each other again. :)

They are much more active and visable with 4 in the tank. 3 of them are fairly brown with darker spots, but one is a little lighter and the spots are not as defined - more blobs than spots. Not sure if they are all the same or perhaps an imposter snuck in some how. Time will tell.

I love my little 'oddballs' already.:hearts:
They are perfect - quirky but not aggressive.

I took some pics but have to load the camera software on my laptop so that I can upload them. Hope to get that done tonight.

[fishorama]

May all your "upside down cats" fit your tank. We'd like pics ya know...all synodontis are cute.

[jenratico]

I think I read that as they mature the females are often lighter in coloration. Also, make sure you have a tight fitting cover, around ALL of the top. I discovered one on the floor a few months back that made it out where the HOB opening on the cover wasn't snug. RIP Howard. They are fun, I plan to get some more somewhere down the road when they are right for one of my tanks.

[cmartin]

Thanks for the tip - I will check the tank cover.

I have a 4 legged cat that understands that the tanks are mine - he is not to mess with it - but I am sure that anything outside of the tank or on the floor would be a totally different matter.

My new 'oddballs' are a lot of fun - I will upload pics very soon.

[Cory Keeper]

Sounds kinda like the cory cats :) Although I have never owned synos before, I would really like to. I've seen em at my petsmart but can't get em because 4 4" fish just wouldn't fit inside a 20g.

[cmartin]

Finally got my camera and computer to talk to each other - phew!!!

Here are some pics of my new little dudes and dudettes.

[jbradt]

Cute synos! Good luck with them!

[BigFishKeeper]

nice synos.

[jenratico]

Awww. The little darlins'!

[sinner41265]

I have three of these guys in my bigger tank. They're a lot of fun to watch. They like to hide, so I don't see them very often except when I drop in some Hikari Sinking Wafers (they love those).

Good luck with them !

[jackiomy]

Nice fishes.

[fishorama]

Cute! Nice driftwood too

[sed03f]

aww, very pretty, I have a mixed species of upside down cats since some of them have enormous eyes and the others dont, but they still pal around and are always attached to some driftwood upside down. They are very cute, congrats!

[grouchybroad]

I have had 5 in a 30 gallon tank for better part of a year now. They stay hidden under driftwood or other stuff until night time and then will come out to play it seems. The place I bought them from had them in tanks without driftwood and that is why they were out swimming around......no good place to hide. If you get them to breed, please tell me your secret. I have at least 2 fat females.....no fry yet.