Synodontis eupterus (Featherfin)

[themikestro]

Hi all,

I've just bought one of these fellas and it's only very young, seems like a very pleasant fish. The problem is I'm having trouble getting any info on them.
I've read lots of conflicting sources on the adult size, diet and aggression levels with each site having different information. All I know for sure is they are very tough and practically live forever.

Can anyone shed some light on this mysterious fish?

I know they'll eat pretty much anything but is there something they prefer?

Just how big do they get, what kind of growth rate do they have and what would by the minimum tank size for a fully grown adult?

Will they eat smaller tankmates? A Danio for instance (assuming it could catch one)

Thanks O wise catfish people.

 

[BlueIce]

Synodontis eupterus
Common Names: Featherfin Catfish
Featherfin Synodontis
Sqeaker Catfish
Sqeaker synodontis
Synonyms:
Family: Mochokidae
Category: Catfish and Bottom Feeders
Origin: White Nile River, Africa.
Main Ecosystem: River
Salinity: Freshwater
Temperament: Peaceful fish that may be kept in communities and in groups. This fish will establish territories however and is very defensive of them. Plenty of overhanging rocks and driftwood are required to ensure that no territory disputes occur.
Diet: Ominvore
Care: This fish will readily accept insects, larvae and algae. It will also accept algae wafers, sinking pellets (carnivore, catfish, shrimp, etc..), spirulina flakes and blood worms. This is a very hardy catfish with very few requirements other than sufficient hiding places and a heater guard as this fish is very easily scared.

pH: 6 - 7.5


Temperature: 22°C - 26°C
(72°F - 79°F)

Hardness: 12°dH - 15°dH


Potential Size: 15cm (5.9")
Water Region: Bottom
Activity: Nocturnal
Breeding: Egglayers, however breeding in the home aquarium is undocumented.
Gender: To determine the gender of the fish first lay the fish in your hand with its head toward your palm and the tail toward your fingers. Hold the dorsal spine between your middle and ring finger so the fish is stomach up. The genital pore is in a small furrow of tissue and will be obstructed by the pelvic fins. Pull down on the tail gently to arch the fishes spine and the pelvic fins will stand and the furrow open to display the genital pore and the anus of the fish. The male has a somewhat ridged genital papillae on which the spermatoduct is on the back side, facing the tail fin. A gravid female will also show an extended papillae but the oviduct is on the ventral side of the papillae (And may also show a little redness if really gravid). A thin or emaciated female will have just two pink pores, the oviduct and the anus. (Credit Planetcatfish.com)
LifeSpan: 20 years
Main Colours: Grey, Black
Markings: Spots - Small
Mouth: Downturned
Tail: Forked
Comments: Juvenile colouration is quite different from that of the adult, with the juvenile possessing vivid stripes. The change begins when the fish reach about 1.5" when the fish begins to lose its stripes. These are replaced with a duller spotted colouration of the fish. Although this fish is primarily nocturnal it will, once established in a tank forage at any time of the day.

 

[themikestro]

I guess that's covered just about everything.

Thanks!

 

[Ava_Banana]

Hi,

funnily enough, i posted a couple of pictures of mine last night............

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=61718

.......on here.

Good luck......

 

[Joviella]

I have one of these and he is 8" long. He is also not as peaceful as some would suggest. He is not overly aggressive or anything but beware bigtime if his territory gets invaded. I would not suggest keeping this fish in a tank less than 48" long.HTH.

 

[cory]

I had one for nearly 5 years and he never got any bigger than 5.5''. He was very peaceful, though slightly possessive of his stump. There's one that's over ten years old at my LFS, it's 6'', it's also very even tempered. I think they're quite beautiful.

 

[themikestro]

This is the thing, all kinds of different experiences! What a mysterious beastie.
Well I'm interested to see how mine turns out, although I think I'll have to find him a bigger home pretty soon!

 

[Oddball]

I know what you mean mikstro, and this catfish has had a LOT of posts concerning it. In my experience/s with this fish they reach between 6-8" long, and tend towards being nocturnal, but as they get bigger they can become more active in the day. S.eupterus is amazingly territorial when faced by another catfish of the same/similar size and will chase off all new comers, but rarely inflicts harm (this is from experience as i have kept one male featherfin with these cats: S.Ornatapinnis, S.Multiplepunctatus, S.Ocellifer, S.nigriventis, Pangaisius Pangasius and the Hi fin Pangasius). They are very easy to feed (algae tabs, protein pellets and bloodworm) and as already mentioned they change patterning, and even shape. Females become paler, longer and wider, losing the stripes for blotches and the dorsal fin becomes more rounded. Males stay a bit shorter, become stocky and the dorsal fin becomes very tall and flowing. This is a remarkable catfish, and as it is a member of the synodontis group it can be observed resting (and even occasionally swimming) upside down. I hope this helps.