I'm planning to go to a +- 180G 6-foot tank in my den for my not-as-juvie-as-they-used-to-be Mbuna. Yeah, yeah, I know... I'm not as juvie as I used to be either. But at least my childish immaturity remains unchanged! Giggly

I have a Synodontis Eupterus in my 45G with these guys now. I agree with Mongo (whose suggestion I followed when I got him) that he's an ideal companion for the Mbuna, and that little if any uneaten food from above escapes his attention on the bottom. If anything, he's TOO efficient, and he's the fastest-growing fish in my tank -- soon he'll pass my dom. M Acei, Hongi and Estherae and be the largest guy I have. He's also made me much more aware of how to feed pellets to avoid too much getting to the bottom because if I were sloppy he'd pop like a balloon.

I know they grow to be 9-12" which is huge even in a 6' tank.

I have pretty extensive rockwork for the Mbuna, and consciously lay out good cave sites for him at substrate level each time I have to chase a holding female and (sigh) re-do the rocks.

Would I do better to leave him solo? To get one or two more Eupterus to go with him in a tank that size? (Would that slow his growth by splitting up the food supply, even if I'm careful?) Could I add one or two different Syno. species for variety in a tank that size? Did Trewavas prefer butter or olive oil with her bread before dinner?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Don

Hey Don, I can't wait for you to get your tank so
we can see some pics!

I have always heard that Eupterus do well in a group
of maybe 2-3 in your size tank!

But I'm sure someone with more experience with cats
will come by shortly and tell you more!

Good luck and keep us posted!

I have two. The oldest I've had for about eighteeen years. The youngest for about three years and is much bigger than the old one. Probably due to the NLS diet from a juvy.

They will live as long as you want them. :D

The old guy has always been with my Africans. Mbunas, peacocks, haps and Tanganyikans too. Never had a problem.

The youngster was for sale, but no takers in my cichlid club...



The old guy (gal?) greeting me one evening this year...

Wow -- 18 years!!! Now that's a committed relationship!!! Faint

Figured I'd throw in a couple of pics of my 3" Syn. Eupterus -- starting to get the hang of getting better images.

Nice looking cats, Gentlemen! the Clap

I have 2 of these cats as well; 1 in my 20 gal Mbuna
and 1 in my 75 gal Mbuna.

PSO, I have never had good luck with more than one of those guys per tank. They would fight, not constantly...but enough that they would knock over rock work. I dont know how you sex em either, so it could just be that they dont like members of the same sex in the same tank. I have an idea to try and breed them, but I cant find any info on anyone who has.

3P, WOW...18 years, congrats on that one bud! I have had "Jaws" for around 12 now. He was named that after my son saw the movie for the first time. Its about 12 inches maybe a little longer, but he has survived everything...including spending an 30 minutes behind the tank in the floor.

I have 6 in my 120g with 8 petros. the petros keep in the rock work but the others are actively exploring and getting their share at feeding time. I feed the Peacocks colour bits and then as they are eating I put some NLS in there as it sinks well and the others are busy eating the colour bits so they all get to eat good quality food :) They never have fought with one another in my tank, but its a larger tank. But even as juvies 2" they were in a 35 gallon and never had problems with agression. They do have their favorite spots, and during feeding they definately protect their area when eating, but nothing I would consider to be aggresion. They do Scream like crazy when netted and out of the water though! Man it really sounds like a small child being tortured, kinda creepy actually.

Cheers.

Ziggy.