synos to go with labs

[linuxrulesusa]

I may be consolidating some tanks in a couple months to free up space in the finished half of the basement.   

So, I'm wondering if my synodontis nigriventris (the smaller 'upside down' catfish) can go in with my juvenile (~2" average) mbamba bay labs?

Or if I'm better off selling the upside down cats and going with a more truly Rift Lake syno, like lucipinnis, petricola, or multipunctatus.

The tank they would be in is either a 40 breeder (36x18x19) or a 50 long (48x13x20). 

I can also skip the catifsh entirely, but would like to keep them if I can (either the ones I have or another Syno).

Thanks for any advice, especially if you've kept mbuna with synos and how well it has worked out/which species.

[Regalblue]

I've kept upside down syno with Mbuna years ago without issue. 

Right now I have some S.Njassae in with my Yellow Labs. But, I think your tanks listed would be somewhat small for them.

[linuxrulesusa]

I've kept upside down syno with Mbuna years ago without issue. 

Right now I have some S.Njassae in with my Yellow Labs. But, I think your tanks listed would be somewhat small for them.

My tanks are too small for the S. njassae?  Or for a small group, e,g the 3 I have of the s. nigriventris (max ~ 4") or some s. lucipinnis (same max around 3.5-4")?

I assume lots of cover would be helpful for the synos?

I'm thinking long term 1M 4F or 2M 6F of the mbamba bays, then the group of synos, and that would be it.  Plus that big rock deco that's in the 40 breeder and some other rock/holey rock.  If I consolidate tanks I could run 2 AC110s on the 55 if I had to, but at a minimum 1 AC110 (and possibly a Hydro IV/V as well).

[Regalblue]

Yes the S.Njassae.

I'd go Lucipinis /Petricola until your Mbamba reach full size. Then IMO a 40B would be fully stocked with just the Labs.
(I'm sure anybody who seen Delores' Kimpuma /Hongi would agree)

[linuxrulesusa]

Yes the S.Njassae.

I'd go Lucipinis /Petricola until your Mbamba reach full size. Then IMO a 40B would be fully stocked with just the Labs.
(I'm sure anybody who seen Delores' Kimpuma /Hongi would agree)

50 long would be the same deal because more or less the same footprint, even though there's more swimming space? 

I'll leave my upside down cats in their oddball tank until I take it down and figure it out then.