Scavengers for African Cichlids

[tanker]

What would be a good scavenger for an African Cichlid tank. I do not like plecos, so how about a few synodontis?? How many is Ok in a 40-50 gal tank??

 

[benedick]

Synodontis eupterus is a good choice.

 

[tanker]

Are all synodontis good?? Do they fight?? Can I have more than one kind??

 

[valerie]

Syno. eupterus is not a good choice for a 40-50g tank as they can get 8-9". A better choice for an african tnak would be a couple syno. multipunctatus or syno.petricola as they come from the rift lakes and can take the higher ph. PLus they are smaller, only getting about 4-6". But you have to get at least 3 of the same species for them to be happy.

 

[paradigmcubed]

I don't know what you mean by "good." My synodontis catfish are very peaceful and they clean up all the food my Africans miss. They aren't out a lot during the day, they usually come out at night.

 

[valerie]

Synos are pretty shy but if you get a group of them they are more likely to come out.

 

[ewok]

if they are smaller cichlids i think you could also try synodontis nigriventis.... upside down cats. they school but are smaller, only around 3 or 4 inches full grown i think.

 

[tanker]

Leaning towards 50 gal. maybe 3 red zebras and 3 kennii and 3 synodontis.

 

[ewok]

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/mochokid/synodont/334_f.htm

fascinating little fish, good hiders. they should be good with the ph if acclimated slowly. i used to keep a few and they even survived breeding cons and the mbuna i used to keep.

edit: breeding jewels too, hemichromis bimaculatus......

 

[JSchmidt]

I agree for the most part with Valerie; I think a Syn. eupterus is pushing it in a 50. For the cichlids you note, a quartet (+/- 2) of Syn. petricola would be ideal. Kept in groups, they're as active as any synodontis and very comical. I've got both eupteruses and petricola and I'd pick the petricolas hands down for a tank like you describe.

Syn. multipunctatus are OK, too. They look a lot like petricola, except a bit bigger. They aren't as active as petricola, IME.

Have fun!

Jim