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I'm rather bored of HL 2 on this quiet Post Thanksgiving night, so whilst browsing through gen. feshwater, I came across sirbook's beginner's fish of the month topic, and between the aforementioned and shini's rare fish of the week topic, I came up with this. Enjoy, or whatever.


Introducing....

The Lace Catfish (Synodontis nigrita)

One of the most widespeard catfish throughout Nothern Africa, the Lace Cat aka False Upside Down Catfish is analagously one of the most common Synodonts available in the trade. This is not, however, without reason, as this fish is incredibly hardy, and is fully capable of withstanding all but the worst aquarium enviornments. As with their distantly related osteichthyid cousins the siamese fighting fish (b. splendens), their extreme adapdability stems from their summer breeding habits. In the reclining days of the Nigerian dry season, the watery homes of this pool dwelling species dry up to little more than foot deep mud holes. At precisely this time, males and females will breed, so that when the hatchlings emerge, they will do so in the midst of the rainfall, and consequently fresh, running water. This being said, they should, ideally, still be kept in clear, slightly agitated water of around 25 degrees centigrade and a pH range of 6-8. Unlike the upside down catfish S. nigriventris, and contrary to their namesake, they do NOT always swim belly up, although they have been observed to do so for extended periods of time. Rather, they are named after nigriventrises for similarities in regards to juvenile appearence. Quite othen, these fellows are sold (whence young) as upside down cats, as well as an assorment of other Western Synodonts. However, once this species reaches maturity, it's colors will usually fade out into a milky brown or tan and will have a noticeably sleeker appearence than true upsies. Feeding is hardly a problem, as they will gorge themselves on just about anything, small tankmates included (some individuals can even be handfed). Live food is always appreciated, as well as mashed vegetable matter. Despite their genuinely cute appearance, this species is not the greatest of community fishes, as disregarding their uncanny ability to make smaller tankmates dissappear, they are also vigorous nightime browsers, often disturbing or even plowing over diurnal tankmates. Furthermore, they have been recorded to grow up past 7" inches in length, making them unsuitable for anything less than a 55 gallon aquarium. They also do not cope well with most rooted plants, and will either shred them to pieces or uproot them with their substrate burrowing habits (smooth rockage or sand should be provided). Some have reported occassional territorial disputes with increasing age, but I have personally never experienced this. Perrably kept singly amongst it's own species. No reliable breeding accounts have been reported, and one can imagine it would be quite a hassle to intentionally drain out most of the water in one's aquarium, foul the water with detritus/debris, and keep tank temperatures at 85+ farenheit just to trigger a possible spawn of these cats. Hiding places are important, and if feeling insecure, these fish will dash around the aquarium and become problematic towards others.


http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/mochokid/synodont/89_f.php

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0607&view_records=1


EDIT: Links. I'll work on the paragraphing in future posts, as I'm not so great with organizing my writing.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 27-Nov-2004 00:11

OMFG lifenoodles CATFIHS OF DA WEEK!!!!!!111eleven11!!


Great article, my only suggestions would be to include a link to a picture of the species and to divide your article into paragraphs for easier reading.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Nice good read. is hl2 half life 2?

Very nice, though paragraphing and pics would be great.

Only a matter of time until someone starts doing the Cichlid of the Week...

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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."

Nice good read. is hl2 half life 2?

You know it.

I'll have to agree that I'd love to at least see some paragraphs, but kudos to taking on one of my favorite overall groups, the catfishes. I better do some more on rare catfishes before you take them all.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

It would take years just to get through all of the L numbers. :%)

Good read.