TankBud

Upside-down catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

FreshwaterFish

Upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mochokidae
Origin
Congo Basin

Overview

The upside-down catfish is a small, peaceful catfish for a calm community tank. It is a good first catfish.

Did you know

The upside-down catfish has flipped countershading, with a belly darker than its back. That suits a fish that spends so much time inverted. Seen from above, the dark belly blends with the bottom, and from below the lighter back blends with the bright surface.

Caring for the upside-down catfish

Give upside-down catfish a tank of at least 30 gal (115 L), with driftwood, caves and some shade. They live near the bottom but will cruise upside down along the surface and under leaves and wood.

Keep the water warm and soft, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are nocturnal, so feed after lights out. Offer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and some plant matter.

Keep a group of at least five, since they feel safer in numbers and you will see them out more. They are peaceful, so pair them with calm tank mates that share the same warm, soft water. Breeding in home tanks is rarely documented, and most fish in the trade are commercially raised.

Good to know

The upside-down catfish belongs to the Mochokidae family, the African upside-down catfishes. Its common name comes from its habit of swimming belly up, which is unusual among catfish. It can live well over a decade with good care.

In the wild

The upside-down catfish comes from the slow, warm waters of the Congo Basin. There it hangs around submerged roots, branches and thick plant cover.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The upside-down catfish is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an upside-down catfish need?

An upside-down catfish needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an upside-down catfish need?

An upside-down catfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an upside-down catfish eat?

An upside-down catfish eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and some plant matter. Feed it after lights out, since it is nocturnal.

How big does an upside-down catfish get?

An adult upside-down catfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Does an upside-down catfish need a group?

Yes. An upside-down catfish is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does an upside-down catfish breed?

Upside-down catfish are rarely documented breeding in home tanks. Most fish in the trade are commercially raised.

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