Synodontis Alberti

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Nauplii

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Common name(s): Albert's Syno, Congo Hi-Fin Synodontis, Bigeye squeaker

Scientific Name: Synodontis alberti

Features:: Sin oh don tiss Al bert ee /i Synodontis is a Greek word, with 'syn' meaning together and 'odontis' meaning tooth. It refers to the closly set teeth on the lower jaw. The synodontis alberti is distinguished by its rather silver-like skin, with large brown leopard spots (usually starting from just behind the eyes to the base of the tail. On the fins, much smaller leopard spots are seen apon a light brown canvas.
This catfish especially when young is most attractive by its rather large eyes and its long barbels.
They are generally solitary, but in larger tanks may be likely to create a small group. These will not eat healthy fish and anything over 1" will be safe.

Size: This catfish gets to a size of 6.5" in the home aquarium. Therefore a good size tank to home one of these beautiful fish would be about 3' x 2' x 2'
(36" x 24" x 24").

Place Of Origin: Can be found in Zaire, near Brazzavile, Stanley Pool, Kinshasa and the Upper Congo.

Water Conditions: These syno's prefer a cooler temperature of 21 - 25 degrees C. They prefer a Ph of between 6-8.

Tank layout: These catfish prefer bogwood/driftwood rather than rocks, plants may not be needed but will give cover for them during the day. Make sure they have plenty of caves as they tend to take cover during the day in dark crevasses. Rounded gravel or sand is a prefered sbstrate due to spending most of their life on the bottom of the tank.

Diet: Their diet consists of bloodworms, bits of algea scraped off rocks with their teeth on the bottom jaw, will take other frozen food,flake food and algea wafers. (From my experience peas and cucumber go down a good treat! :) )

Compatability: Make sure the lower level of the tank is not too crowded because these catfish will squabble for cover during daylight hours. Put in with tank mates over 1" in length, do not put in with anything too agressive. These catfish may bother more timid species at night with its long barbels when in search for food. Ideal tank mates would be mostly medium sized community fish(about 4" or so).

Sexing: When trying to sex your synodontis, first you'll need to catch it.... Good Luck... :lol: Next, in great care of its sharp dorsal and side fins, place the catfish's dorsal in between your index finger and your middle finger, to hold the fish on its back. (Make sure the head is towards your palm and the tail is in the direction of your fingers, that way if the catfish wriggles, your less likely to get some damage done... To you that is)
Next pull the tail down gently, doing this should straighten the pelvic fins to reveal a furrow tissue underneath. The furrow will open to display the anus of the fish and the genital pore.The female will show an extended papillea but the oviduct is on the ventral side of ths papillea; if the female is mature a slight redness might be apparant. A small or thin female may have 2 pink pores, oviduct and anus. Males on the other hand have quite a ridged genital papillae on which the spermatoduct is on the back end facing towards the tail fin.
Females may apear more 'plump' also.

Breeding: None yet stated

Comments: Overall these catfish are beautiful and a great community fish to have. It's a great jpy to watch them scamper across the aquarium floor at night (when the lights are dimmed).
I would recommend these to anyone with a big enough tank.
 

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