Upside-down catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
A small African catfish that swims belly-up to pick food from the surface and the undersides of leaves; peaceful and best in a group.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 22 gallons
- Group
- 3+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Congo basin, Central Africa
- Hardier than53%
- Bigger than59%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Upside-down catfish tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Upside-down catfish.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Upside-down catfish.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Upside-down catfish.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Upside-down catfish.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Upside-down catfish.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish needs cool water; upside-down catfish need tropical heat.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Upside-down catfish: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Upside-down catfish: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Upside-down catfish: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl can eat Upside-down catfish: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 7.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for upside-down catfish: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 10 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 15.00 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 5.08 BU
- Min. water
- 70 L net
- Min. footprint
- 75 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 3+ (best 5)
- Swims in
- middle, top, bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Upside-down catfish live along overgrown riverbanks in the Congo basin. Their spotted bodies are darker underneath, which suits a fish that spends much of its time inverted.
Keep three or more in a 20 gallon tank or larger with a 30-inch footprint, caves and dim light. They are peaceful community fish and become more active toward evening.
Questions
What size tank does a upside-down catfish need?
At least 22 gallons (70 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.9 inches without fins.
How many upside-down catfish should be kept together?
Keep at least 3, ideally 5 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do upside-down catfish need?
75–82 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 5–20 dGH. Upside-down catfish come from Congo basin, Central Africa.
How long do upside-down catfish live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with upside-down catfish?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.