hello,

think I have a cuckoo syno, looks very like the pics on planet catfish and loves his meat based food....ie. bloodworms.

However, he hides alot and only really comes out for a nosey when he thinks no one is about, or there's food. (also have another syno that is even shyer than this, will only come out for food when all lights are off and if he wants to move during lights on does so at great, great speed!he's like cuckoo with darker markings, no white on fins and has two black feelers that point outwards, if anyone has any clues would be great, unfortunatly cannot get picture for the mentioned reasons and think trying to catch him for a photo is bit of unnecessary stress for us both.)

back to cuckoo, really like this catfish and was wondering if I kept him as part of a group of mayb 6-10 would they all swimming together and be more visable in the tank???also what fish would be recommend to keep with them...have corys, bristle nose, 2 dwarf gourami and few others in tank at mo. was thinking of gettting angels and african butterfly and some loach... can regig any of the fish I already have if needed.

I heard they're good with some chilids, which ones???

would be great to see any photos anyone has too!!

Orla.

Oh the mystery syno is also bit fatter, or bit bulkier of a build than they cuckoo. and it's face is a different shape.

The problem with a lot of Synodontis Catfish now is that they are being hybridised, intentionally or otherwise, and many imported species aren't any longer what they're supposed to be!

I have Synodontis Petricola which, I hope and believe, are true ones...I bought a further two last year and they most certainly aren't !!!

So, you might even find that your 'mystery' fish turns out to be one of these dreaded hybrids!

In the main Synos prefer harder more alkaline water than some of your existing fish but if they're showing no signs of discomfort I shouldn't unduly worry.

Synos are usually kept with Malawis and Tanganyikan Cichlids - indeed that's the reason for the 'Cuckoo' common name for one of yours, some will sit on the sidelines when the Cichlids spawn and before the female Cichlid gets the chance to pick up the eggs they will dart in, eat those eggs and replace them with eggs of their own! These are then carried dilgently by the female Cichlid in the mistaken belief that they are her own eggs! If I remember rightly a video was posted a couple of weeks back showing this happening in real life.
To your other question, yes, they will become 'bolder' if you have a shoal of them but not so bold as to be 'out and about' at all times, at least mine aren't. I also have four Featherfin Synos too (Euruptus) and their behaviour is somewhat similar...although, having said that, they are first in the queue when food enters their tank! Then they become very boisterous, less assertive fish get physically shoved to one side!
Great fish, though - for all that.

Good luck,

John

Check out this video, Cuckoo spawning synos and the cichlid mother:

seen video before.It's very good though and funny.

Think mystery syno, could be a hybrid. not half as pretty as cuckoo, and was cheaper. think I'll watch out for a few friends for him, where would you recommend to get good ones?? (North or west dublin area)

s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/oog1111...ckooornotaCuckoo.flv
Hi folks,

just wondering if ye reckon this is a Cuckoo synodontis?

just wondering if people can get to view video? or is there a prob, not the best with these links etc.

I have two multis and yours looks different. Mine don't have spots on the tail and the spots up around the head are smaller. I would say yours isn't a Synodontis multipunctatus (that's assuming mine are). Mine exactly resemble the fish in the video Daragh posted above.

I'll try and post a picture of mine later. As you said, they don't show themselves too often so it will be a challenge.