Synodontis Multipunctatus

[Fella]

I saw some for sale recently, £32 each, or £90 for a trio. Why is this? I assume they are either difficult to breed, infrequently imported or rare.

Which one? It's a shame because I really like them otherwise!

 

[smithrc]

Its the same with Petricolas....

we were looking at some that were £35 each at about 1"... then i really lucked out in the classifieds and managed to get hold of some... I got 7x 1.5" for £40

They will be getting the 4* treatment and put on a breeding program in the new shed

they are 'tricky' to breed and they are reportedly slow growers - meaning that any fish of a good size has taken a lot of time and care to get it there... hence the prices

 

[The-Wolf]

blame the wholesalers.
we have S.multipuntictus at work and they are expensive for us to buy,
naturally this is what bumps up the price for the customer.

also take into account that fish die and to cover the losses sustained by any lfs
a margin is factored in.

BTW ours are £19.95each

 

[Fella]

Yeah, I've emailed a few places asking for quotes. They look like great little fellas so we'll have to wait and see. Cheers for the advice guys.


And if you need anyone to take a few off your hands smithrc

 

[smithrc]

Yeah, I've emailed a few places asking for quotes. They look like great little fellas so we'll have to wait and see. Cheers for the advice guys.


And if you need anyone to take a few off your hands smithrc

I'll keep you in mind for the first fry - how long it will take is anyones guess

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I have both multi's and petricolas. But they are costly and hard to come by. Alot of regular places never have them at all so you tend towards specialist stores which also tend to be independant.
All factors lean towards higher prices but I do believe they are worth it.
Belle (My multi) has taken to swimming against the front glass in the evening to position herself in the direct current of the external filter inlet. She adores being buffeted by the current. Petra (a petricola) prefers daylight to night time and has made good friends with the only eupterus in their tank. Arthur, a deformed young fellow whose face has a dent in one side causing his mouth to have grown at an odd angle. He's been kept apart from my community of eupterus since he simply couldn't cope with them and their boisterous ways.
I have to add, as a big lover of all synos in the various forms, I am amazed they aren't more popular and can't understand why so many of the more common types (eupterus especially) get returned as they grow up. They have such sparkling personalities and quirks that the idea of parting with any would break my heart. Belle now spends time in the evening watching me when the house is quiet. Her tank is next to my bed and she takes great interest in watching me read b4 the light goes out. Funny thing.
Oh I do talk too much. )
Hugs,
P.
P.Smithrc if you get fry from your petricolas I would be very interested. Would love to hear how it goes with them too. They do mature quite slowly and grow the same way.

 

[freddyk]

Another factor that raises their price, that goes along with their slow growth, is that they take a very long time to mature sexually. I imagine we can take into account that you need a group to breed (and in turn a good sized tank for these active fish) plus that the Multipunctatus need a 'host fish' in the form of a mouthbrooder - which means that you essentially need to get two types of fish breeding.