Lake Malawi Species • Will syn. Petricola go well with multipunctatus?

[CheekyGoblin]

I have 4 Petricola, I know these guys like to be in groups but can I add 1-2 multipunctatus and the multipunctatus still be social and happy? I just don’t want them to be lonely if there’s not enough multis

[jcover]

I would think that there could be potential aggression issues, or they would ignore each other. I've never kept both species together, but I know some synos don't like other species of synos. I personally would just stick with 1 species.

[Ryanblackheart]

Synos are some of my favourite fish but I have had issues with even mixing lucipinis (dwarf Petricola) with OTHER lucipinis

1) how big is your tank
2) how big are the Petricola vs the multis
3) why do you want to add multis instead of more Petricola ds?

I have schools of 5 which work generally fine if you can get 5 similar size, if ever I have to add Synos I take the established school out into a rubber maid (with heater and adequate tank water) move the rocks Introduce the new Synos then 12/24 hours later drop the established ones back in

I have had to rehome synos due to inter species conflict so my assumption cross species conflict is even greater risk

www.planetcatfish.com know their stuff post this question there but I’m afraid the answer is probably going to be not advised

[DJRansome]

Yes I would add lucipinnis as opposed to multipunctatus. I have had syno babies born in the tank and so I think various sizes are fine. I would add at least 3 fish however...not because they are synos but because it spreads out the aggression any newcomer will attract.