Synodontis Catfish

SKAustin

Synodontis inhabit Lake Tanganyika, Africa. These are one of the few catfishes that can be kept with African Rift Lake Cichlids. African Rift lake cichlids require a high PH, around 7.6-8.6. The syndontis will be quite at home in a Ph of 8.2.

Most species of tropical fishes are very adaptable to differrent PH levels. Fluxuations in the Ph as result of chemical buffers are far more dangerous to the health of your fish than a constant, higher ph.

girlofgod

does sand substrate cause ph to be higher?

SKAustin

Not that I'm aware of, though it's possible if the sand contains crushed coral.

bettababy

It is true that the synodontis will prefer the higher pH, and as for the sand, what kind of sand is it? Aragonite sand will bring the pH up. Play sand will do funky things to your water quality all the way around. Silica sand should not affect the pH, but is not usually the best choice of substrate in an aquarium. Plants have a difficult time taking root in the sand, and it's much harder to keep nitrate levels down with sand. Sand is much harder to clean when doing a gravel vac and will quickly clog sink drains if sucked up.

SKAustin

And there you have it in a nutshell. :D One thing there I'd like to add, Sand can be murder on your Impeller Assembly.

Thanks Dawn.

jtsaquatics

sounds like "Bloat"

Bloat is from feeding them too much, switching foods, improper diet, water quality. Read up on it. you can medicate with metronidolzole.