Hi :)
I have a tropical freshwater community tank with a 2 year old common plec, he's about 8 inches long at the moment. I already have a big tank and have just been offered a much bigger tank and set up, but there is already a tenant in there!
He is obviously some sort of catfish but I'm a bit of novice when it comes to dealing with these guys. He's a pale creamy colour with dark spots and long whiskers, he's also about 6-7 inches long.
My plec is very peaceful and easy to care for and is no trouble with my other fish. I don't know if adding an adult stranger will cause them to fight or harm the other fish. Would it be better to just find the catfish a new home?
Any advice much appreciated :)

Hi and welcome,

Have a quick look at this image search result on Synodontis as I think he may well be a member of that genus:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=synodontis&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=mZ6IT6vWMOPO0QX0uIjQCQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CA8Q_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=950

If he is, let us know which one (clicking on the inage should bring you to a page that names the fish) and we'll see what compatibility looks like. Though Synos are really ahrd water fish where plecs are soft water, but some Synos canbe quite adaptable.

Hi and thanks :)
Yep thats the guy synodontis, his spots are small and theres a lot of them, he's a got a chunky body too, not one of the finer ones. He's pretty peaceful and quiet himself at the moment but he's the only in there as yet.
R :)

Is there one in that link that looks most like him? If you click on the one most like him hopefully ypou'll get the full species name. Description sounds like S. multipunctata (Cuckoo Catfish)

Featherfin Catfish? Synodontis eupterus looks most like him.
Thanks for your help.

OK, if he's a Featherfin Syno he may be fine with your pleco if the tank is big enough - how big is the tank?

Other than that, water parameters are similar and it's a relatively peaceful fish, but will eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth. It can get to 11 inches max, but usually around 8 inches. It needs bogwood/caves for hiding as it's nocturnal, and there need to be enough of these for both him and the Plec to choose a territory. Best not to add any other bottom-dwelling fish as it will be aggressive with those especially if smaller (Cories etc).

Hope that helps