Synodontis Petricola being outcast

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bradlgt21

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May 9, 2009
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Chicagoland, Illinois
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I just recently upgraded my 29 gallon to a 55 gallon. With this extra space I wanted to add a synodontis to my pair. Aquadvisor suggests at least 3 in a group so I figured I would make it 3. Went to a fish swap yesterday and got a nice syno that was a little lighter then the others so he would stick out and add some contrast to my group. Got home put him in with the others and noticed immediately that 1 of my synos is chubby while the other is skinny and this guy is skinny to. Well the skinny guy I already had just won't leave the new guy alone I assume from the behaviour skinny ones mean male. He was Headbutting him repeatedly and nudging him like crazy, the new guy of course was scared to death and just wanted to hide but my guy was relentless. But the lights went off and I figured they would settle down.

I get home from work today and the new guy is hiding in a plant on the other side of the tank and he is really close to the glass so I get a close up, he has marks all over him like bruises and scrapes. I watch them for a little bit and the skinny guy tracks him down again and just starts beating on him again. The new guy is about a half inch smaller and I am worried he will get killed. They have only been together about 24 hours now, will they bond is he just trying to check the guy out or is he abusing him. And if so why are thought they were fish that liked swimming in groups.
 

toddnbecka

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Dec 17, 2004
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Cumberland, MD 21502
I had a group of 7 petricola in a 55, had to move 2 out because their fins and barbels were little stubs. They grew back just fine after a few weeks in another tank. Either get several more or rehome the new one, the other one isn't going to like him any better later.
 

bradlgt21

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May 9, 2009
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Update a couple week later. I kept him in the tank because he appeared to find a good hiding spot on a bunch of sword leaves and was recovering. Then he started coming out to eat and even following the other synos around, the male would spot him and chase him away every once in a while though. But lately I have noticed a lot less aggression and he was even allowed under there driftwood hiding spot. So I guess they finally accepted him into the group. So he will stay.
 
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