Question About Featherfin Catfish

[onidrase]

Over the past couple years my LFS's have stocked featherfin catfish regularly. They've always had pretty big ones, with the huge dorsal in and light brown body with dark spots

Just recently, though, one of them got a new shipment in, and something is different about it. They're much smaller than I've ever seen a featherfin, they don't have the long dorsal fin, and they aren't tan and spotty, but rather more of a upside down catfish look to them, but they're still being sold under the name of featherfin catfish.

I asked the store people if they ordered a different synodontis this time around, and they were convinced that they were all featherfin catfish. I'm a little skeptical, though.

So, what I'm wondering is, if featherfin catfish go through any sort of pattern morph as they mature, and how big they are when they get the big dorsal fin?

 

[Wills]

When they are very young they have like a "network" pattern on them a bit like a king tiger plec and the fin grows with age.

Wills

 

[toddnbecka]

Ya, juvies look nothing like the adults. They do grow quickly though, mine went from 2" to 8" in about 5-6 months.

 

[LongS]

I'd say you were right and they probably are Upsidedown catfish, if you know a featherfin and these don't look like em, i'd trust your judgement over someone who doesn't. In my large chain pet store i was sold an featherfin as an upsidedown cat. Remember its just a retail job to alot of people, they aren't experts or infact even familiar with fish alot of the time.

 

[raptorrex]

there are a lot of "synos" hybrids around at the moment.
only a picture will be able to tell.