Dwarf Syno

[nickmcmechan]

Is there a Dwarf Syno available that is a great community fish.....

I'm a after a free swimming cat like a Syno that is no bigger than 2-3"......already have plecos, otos and corys...?

 

[fishlover88]

You have to understand that there isnt really a free swimming catfish. As most are nocturnal, and try their best to hide during the day. But as time goes on they adjust to the aquarium life and you see more of them. Now to the issue of a small syno, the only one that comes to mind that stays small enough and doesnt require the african water type is the up-side down catfish, Synodontis Nigriventris. These stay small around three inches. most other syno cats grow 6 in and over or require special water requirements. The only other small synodontis that i can think of is Synodontis Petricola. But this cat requires a pH of like 8 and up. I look through some books, and none of the other varieties id ever seen before. So talk to your local fish store and see what they have and then do a little research your self. Cause i have two species of syno and one tops out at 6" and the other at 10." Not exactly the small variety

 

[toddnbecka]

Actually, S. petricola doesn't require such a high pH. They are adaptable to lower pH, but should be kept in the alkaline range. They are also a schooling fish, best kept in groups of 5 or more. The more of them you keep, the more often you'll see at least a few. They will grow to about 4", but it takes several years.
Dwarf cory's are a better choice if you want active, free-swimming catfish. They aren't as bottom-oriented as the larger species.

 

[RoseFishWatcher]

Just want to share my petricola experiences:

I have 6 syno petricolas, and I'd like to say that I don't consider them a "community fish". They are often out and about, usually swimming along the sides of the tank or upside down against the surface of the water. However they will out compete other fish for food easily.

I kept them with a pleco when they were smaller (a male BN, to be specific, who was 3 times their size) and they tore him to shreds. He's since been moved and long recovered - however my initial solution was to put a tank divider in. They would jump the tank divider unless it was about 1/2 an inch above the water.

Now I keep them with some blind cave tetras - supposedly good eaters and somewhat nippy. The synos (who eat directly on the surface, and are great at getting the food first) have won out in the food wars with the tetras. I had to remove one to a hospital tank recently as his belly was sunken in from lack of food. A few weeks of heavy feeding and he's looking healthy again.

I keep them quite happily in local water conditions, not anything special - softish water ect, and they do great.

One last comment on these guys, they are simply delightful fish, and I'm glad I have them. However, choosing tankmates for them is tricky at best. My next attempt will likely be some juliochromis or other (hopefully compatible) small cichlids. Sadly, they are very shy and hide a lot when there are no "upper dwelling fish" housed with them. The activity level increases tenfold when they have some dither fish.