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I would go for a Featherfin as they reach around 7inches and can handle themselves fine, try and go for maybe 2 of them as they are usually kept on there own and when they are kept together (which is very rarely) they act a lot better and more like in the wild and also become less shy (even though they ain`t really when on there own).

IMO the Clown Syno would be fine if you wanted it that much. It would have plenty of turning room and 4x it`s body length to swim in. The width of my 55g is 14 and 18 inches as it is bowfronted and the 14inch would be ok (maybe a bit pushed but nothing too bad) and 18inch would be fine. I would say you could keep it but would go for a Featherfin (or two) instead anyway

From what I've heard synodontis njassae tends to be rather shy--fine for a cichlid tank, but you won't be seeing him a lot. I have found polka dotted synos to be fairly tough, and yet very personable, and can be hand fed. And when in doubt, go with the multi syno, or cuckoo cat. They'll need to be in groups, but can hold their own versus larger, aggressive cichlids.

If you're keeping your Convicts in hard, alkaline water, you could try one of the Malawi Synodontis such as nyassae, as these things live alongside Mbunas in the wild and are thus used to dealing with ruffian Cichlids

Either way, I'd rather not let a Featherfin's lovely dorsal get trashed by fractious Convicts - I'd pick another Synodontis if your water is soft or acidic. Although I'd choose carefully - Synodontis acanthomias will turn your Convicts into an expensive lunch!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

yeah my bad a clown syno would really be pushing it for a 55g

cfd

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Billy was a scientist, Billy is no more. For what he thought was H20, was H2SO4

The featherfin catfish sounds cool to me.

i think a clown syno will get a bit big @ 12" 4 a 55g aquarium. i recomend featherfin syno

i'd go for something chunky like a featherfin or clown syno. and as perky said USDs aren't the best choice for an agressive tank.

cfd

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Billy was a scientist, Billy is no more. For what he thought was H20, was H2SO4

Upsidedown Catfish are only good in peaceful cichlid tanks as they are not as strong as other Syno`s. Don`t get me wrong, they are still pretty tough compared to most fish but other Syno`s are known to do much better.

Most synodontis catfish, like the [link=upside down catfish]http://fishprofiles.com/profiles/fw/profile.asp?id=Synodontis+nigriventris" style="COLOR: #FFFFFF[/link], are good in cichlid tanks. They're peaceful and get along with their tankmates. Just do some research before you choose your species. I only know about a couple of them, so I don't know whether they all fit this discription or not.

My boyfriend has a Lake Malawi cichlid tank, and there's a synodontis in there as well. It's a good combination.

><>Dani<><

Well, normally I'd suggest some kind of pleco, but you don't want any. Bristlenoses are a good choice, but again, you don't want one.
Chinese algae eaters can be tough fish, and though they get aggressive with age, that won't be a problem with the convict. I would suggest a CAE, just try to get one with some size.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."