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Hi, Ive a 40gal planted/silk,upsidedown catfish hes large 4.5 in, 5 lemon tetras,6 cherry barbs,3 ballon mollies.
What could I add for the bottom? 3-4 of cories, flying fox, not sure? and how would they do with the catfish?, or do you thing maybe because of his size I should just leave him to the feeding at the bottom? Dont want to over stock..how would you say my tank is now on fish?

Bye thanks for any ideas on my tank.. Sue

You're not overstocked.
I think you should a small school of cories.4-6

-Vincent

I was under the impression that upside down cats only get around 3 inches...boy was I wrong. I would get more USD cats to start with. They are shoaling, much like cories and like the company of their own. I'd get atleast 3 more. You could get more than that, maybe 5 more and then get a centerpiece fish, instead of cories. I think adding more of the USD cats will take up the bottom area.

*Kristin*

Howewver ...

BEFORE you decide to add more USD Cats, check which species you have!

If you have Synodontis nigriventris then you could be OK. But ... it is HIGHLY advisable to have your fish identified by someone in the know to be absolutely certain, because some Synodontis grow to be pretty big ...

Post a pic (or link to it in Photobucket or Webshots) so I can see your fish. Alternatively, browse Planet Catfish's section on the Genus Synodontis (handy link to that very page here for your asistance!) and check your fish against the assorted species thumbnails.

If you have nigriventris, and can be certain of getting more of the same, then you could give your current USD some conspecific playmates. Whatever you do, do NOT make the mistake of taking on some juvenile acanthomias, as that species is a dedicated predator that hits 12 inches and will make mincemeat of your current aquarium occupants in less than 24 hours ...

UPDATE : Fishbase has Synodontis acanthomias listed as a 59 cm fish - that's just shy of two feet ... you do NOT want that fish unless you're planning on housing it in an 8ft aquarium with some other hardcore ruffians ...

In addition, for your edification, the Fishbase page on the Genus Synodontis ... link

Have fun browsing that little lot!

UPDATE 2 : You might want to check the size of the eyes of your fish. There is a very similar species to nigriventris, namely Synodontis contractus. This is known as the Bug Eyed Squeaker (see Planet Catfish) because it has noticeably large eyes. The beauty of discovering that your fish is contractus instead of nigriventris, however, is that contractus is a tiny species among the big Synos - it only grows to 2.9 inches. So if you happen to have the bug-eyed contractus, you're well and truly in business putting more in!

UPDATE 3 : If your fish is already nudging 5 inches, I'd say you have something else. Synodontis afrofishceri is a possibility. This is a 17 cm fish. If you have one of these, you might want to rehouse it ...


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

WOW thanks everyone..Umm Well, Calilasseia I was not expecting to here as much, been keeping this fish long, hes about 2.5 yrs old, to be exact his size from head to tail is 4.5 inches, hes thick too 2in or more and his dorsal fin is up about 3+ in,you know the most ironic thing is that when I bought him (LFS-SUP P) he told me he was close to full size not quite an inch then.. so much for that as I watched him grow. and no word of a lie he was $1.59.. So hes solid black and white, black spots all over him, he is quite good and dosent bother he other fish.

I get a chance to watch him when the light goes out..

Ive some pics to post but not sure how and Im not a member(yet)
Will have to do some reasearch now, thanks for the help.

Will try and get those pics up

Sue

You can use www.photobucket.com to post pictures for free.

-Vincent

thanks..