Upside-down catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

FreshwaterFish

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
Difficulty: Beginner
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Family: Mochokidae
Origin: Congo Basin

Overview

Keep a group of at least five. They feel safer in numbers, and you will see them out more. They are bottom-oriented but will cruise upside down along the surface and under leaves and wood. They are peaceful and nocturnal, so feed after lights-out with sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, and some plant matter. Plan on around 115 liters or more, and pair them with calm tankmates that share the same warm, soft water.

In the wild

This catfish comes from the slow, warm waters of the Congo Basin, where it hangs around submerged roots, branches, and thick plant cover. To match that, give it driftwood, caves, and some shade in the tank. Keep the water in the mid 20s C and the pH on the soft, slightly acidic to neutral side (around 6 to 7.5).

Good to know

It belongs to the Mochokidae family, the African upside-down catfishes, and tops out around 10 cm. Breeding in home tanks is rarely documented, so most fish in the trade are commercially raised. It can live well over a decade with good care. The common name comes from its habit of swimming belly-up, which is unusual among catfish.

Did you know

Its countershading is flipped compared to most fish. The belly is darker than the back, which makes sense because the fish 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.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

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