Id My Syno

Fella · Jan 31, 2006

I bought a Syno yesterday (and I haven't seen him since I put him in the tank), but after checking online for different pictures online, I have a feeling he's not what he was labelled as.

I don't have a photo sadly, but, to describe him, he has

- Thick black squiggly lines on his back. Definitely not as thin as schoutedeni pictures
- A dotty head, with small, black dots on a dark brown face
- No consistent dots or stripes across the dorsal fin

The closest I've seen to what he looks like is ocellifer (I've trawled the Planetcatfish pages), but it isn't him.

Is it a juvenile something? He's about 3" long currently. I have a feeling he may be a hybrid though..

Many thanks for any advice given!

Fella · Feb 1, 2006

any ideas?

reg2k2 · Feb 2, 2006

Well, I'll take a guess...S. njassae, or S. decorus. These two based on the 'spotted face'.
I'm a bit unclear about the body markings...you say squiggly like schoutedeni, but then mention ocellifer as a close match, which is spotted. The couple of pic's I've seen of small decorus looks like they kinda need to grow into their spots, if that makes sense...anyway, they're not clearly defined, so...maybe? :unsure:

Fella · Feb 2, 2006

It's hard to explain. He has a face with small dots, like pinhead sized. Then his body is like thick bands, not thin ones like a schoutedeni. I dont know what he is, and i hadly see him now. However, I'm going to the store where I got him later today so i'll get a photo there of what he looks like

bunjiweb · Feb 4, 2006

Sounds like it could be a juvinile Decorus to me.

One of the largest synos, needs to be in a minimum 60Gallon tank when fully grown and can get quite boisterous.

Luckily they are one of the slower growing synos and will take a good 3-4 years to get anywhere near fully grown so you have plenty of time to get yourself a new tank.

In my opinion they are one of the nicest looking synos so feel happy that you have a lovely fish, not sad that you need to buy a new tank to accomodate it.

Ben

Fella · Feb 5, 2006

Yeah it's not a problem to upgrade in a few years time if he turns out to be a decorus. He's not got the decorus shaped dorsal but I could see his other features as decorus-like.

Bah! What an awkward sod.

bunjiweb · Feb 5, 2006

they don't grow the extended dorsal fin until they start to mature. Mine hasnt got his yet as he is only 3".

Ben

Miss Dib Dabs · Feb 6, 2006

Awwww I have a decorus by the name of JD. He is older and has the extended dorsal fin. He's very shy and I don't see him often, although he'll have his moments in the open. He lives in a 44g with my petricolas, cories and betta ladies. :wub:

Once he gets too big he can move to my 100g. I only didn't move him before because he loves his big rock cave and got very upset when I was moving it about to catch all the other synos that were in there originally. Chances are you won't see much him until lights out. Another good idea is to have other smaller synos in with him for company. They get a bit boisterous with their own kind but seem fine with other types. So long as they are smaller.
Hugs,
P.

Fella · Feb 7, 2006

Just to stir the pot a bit more, I've got a feeling it might in fact be a synodontis ornatipinnis! I'd not seen or heard of these before, but I had a good read through of all 3 volumes of baensch yesterday, and this guy looks most like him -

I've never even seen one before!

http

/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/mocho...odont/552_2.PHP

Any info on these guys?

bunjiweb · Feb 7, 2006

ah! They are nice synos, just hope yours doesnt go as dark as the larger one on the website. I've seen beautiful older specimins and you got yours for a good price even though its quite small.
They are said to get to between 6-8" so not as large as the Decorus but still a decent size. You have it with good tank mates and hopefully with water that complements them... Just dont overstock the bottom of your tank if it is staying in there for the duration.

Ben

Fella · Feb 7, 2006

bunjiweb said:
ah! They are nice synos, just hope yours doesnt go as dark as the larger one on the website. I've seen beautiful older specimins and you got yours for a good price even though its quite small.
They are said to get to between 6-8" so not as large as the Decorus but still a decent size. You have it with good tank mates and hopefully with water that complements them... Just dont overstock the bottom of your tank if it is staying in there for the duration.

Ben

Yeah, I would have been glad if he'd been a decorus who gets prettier as it gets older, but I get a feeling it might turn a bit dark and grim. Never mind though, he still looks great. That is, when I see him, which isn't very often...

bunjiweb · Feb 7, 2006

the same can be said for alot of synos unfortunately. They like lots of caves. I find that providing more hiding places gets them more confident and active, especially if you have a group of them. However, having a group of synos that get to 6" wouldnt be ideal in your 30G tank...

Ben

Fella · Feb 7, 2006

bunjiweb said:
the same can be said for alot of synos unfortunately. They like lots of caves. I find that providing more hiding places gets them more confident and active, especially if you have a group of them. However, having a group of synos that get to 6" wouldnt be ideal in your 30G tank...

Ben

Yeah I got just the one because I read that Syno. Schoutedeni are loners, who don't appreciate the company of other fish. The 30 will get upgraded in the near future (once we've moved house for sure) but I might rehome him once he gets too big, that is, if I don't get a tank big enough for a whole load of the little guys...

The tank has loads of caves and hiding places for him, and I don't mind not seeing him that often, it makes a nice surprise when I do see him.

Cheers for all your advice on this Ben, I'll try and get some photos of him some time!

Miss Dib Dabs · Feb 8, 2006

Well if you do want to rehome him I have plenty of space in various tanks.

And I think all synos are beautiful. :wub:

I've found the only syno breed, out of all I currently have, only the Angelicus has prooved to be a true bully. He enjoyed the company of the others but was just too boisterous and upset them so he lives in the 55g with two young doras whom he gets along with very well.
All the best with him/her. But like I said if you ever feel you need to rehome....just gimme a shout. :nod: