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View Full Version : how many syno. multipunctatus?

TKC747
11-29-2009, 03:56 PM
How many Synodontis multipunctatus should I put in my 55 gallon malawi community (3 species) to naturally cull the fry? I don't want to breed catfish. How big do they get?

As a side question, what if vegetarian cichlids eat fry, isn't a meat diet bad for them? pleas dont LOL at this question LOL
DJRansome
11-29-2009, 04:44 PM
5-6 Multipunctatus would be good. They get about the same size as the mbuna, 6-7". Mbuna are not strict herbivores, but you are right, eating fry in a tank they will get more protein than in the wild. Doesn't seem to hurt them...it's good quality protein...eeeew.
triscuit
11-29-2009, 05:45 PM
Yep- I agree. I have 5 S. multies in my 55 gallon, and AM trying to breed them. :coz: Don't worry about your "herbivores" eating fry- natural waters have entire ecosystems of yummy little protein snacks that your fish would get in the wild. It's the processed and packaged proteins in some fish foods that seem to cause problems...
TKC747
11-29-2009, 06:03 PM
Odds are I will get a pair. Can I prevent the catfish from breeding?

Thanks

Tom
DJRansome
11-29-2009, 07:30 PM
If you only want two synos, better not to get multipunctatus. Or are you saying among the 5-6 you plan to get you might end up with males and females?

You can't prevent them from breeding, but they are not likely to anyway. And if they do, their fry are worth a LOT of $$!
letstalkfish
11-29-2009, 08:00 PM
why wont they breed or are they the type to sneak their young into other cichlid mouthbroaders.
TKC747
11-29-2009, 08:46 PM
If you only want two synos, better not to get multipunctatus. Or are you saying among the 5-6 you plan to get you might end up with males and females?

You can't prevent them from breeding, but they are not likely to anyway. And if they do, their fry are worth a LOT of $$!

I meant at least a male and a female.

If I were to get two catfish, whats a better species?
misterted
11-30-2009, 10:27 AM
Synodontis Petricola or Lucipinnis.
Don't get Multipunctatus if you only want 2.....4 is the minimum from my experiences and 6 is optimal.
TKC747
12-04-2009, 06:02 PM
Synodontis Petricola or Lucipinnis.
Don't get Multipunctatus if you only want 2.....4 is the minimum from my experiences and 6 is optimal.

hi, Is this because of aggression issues among catfish?

Thanks

Tom (#2)
Ironman
12-04-2009, 06:58 PM
I have 4 in a 150 and they breed every 2-3 months. so i guess to answer your question 2. If you know the sex then as many males as you want lol. And, in my experience if they eat fry its not going to kill them I mean how often will that happen.