The famously-named upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) has a unique swimming style, gliding about the surface in an upside-down posture to feed more easily. Its spotted, blotched pattern has made it a popular species for centuries, with images of it even appearing in ancient Egyptian art. Perfect for community tanks, this cute carnivore is decidedly peaceable, though it won't pass up an opportunity to snack on small fish. To get the most of out its sociable nature, keep upside-down catfish in a group of three to four – they'll be right at home!
This mellow cat may look like an easy target, but its cloaked spines will get lodged in the throat of any fish that mistakes it for prey! So, don't chance it—keep only super-friendly tankmates like African tetras, tiny cichlids and elephantfish. Easy to care for in most tanks, the upside-down catfish requires moderately soft water and slightly acidic to neutral pH. Plus, you'll need to do regular partial water changes to maintain their nitrate sensitivity.
This cheeky catfish needs well-oxygenated water and prefers a swift current, achieved by powerheads or a spraybar filter. It's also all about shelter: provide broad-leafed plants, driftwood, rock arches and caves to give 'em a place to hide and hang out with their school-mates. Don't worry if they congregate on the undersides of their hideouts--they're just being fishy!
When the sun goes down, these catfish come out to play! Make sure you give them plenty of holes to hide in during the day and use a moonlight lamp to get a sneak peek at their nocturnal activity.
These upside-down catfish are quite the scavengers! In the wild, they love to roam the submerged branches and logs for worms, insects, and micro-organisms. And they'll even snack on some algae for the extra nutrients. In the aquarium, you can give them a variety of treats - from dry food to live or frozen bloodworms and blackworms - and they'll gobble it all up! For optimum health, offer some insect larvae (mosquito larvae are a special favorite!), as well as shelled peas or cucumber. Plus, you'll have the added bonus of cleaner aquarium algae!
| Family |
Mochokidae |
| Origin |
Central Africa |
| Social |
Peaceful |
| Tank Level |
All levels |
| Minimum Tank Size |
10 gallon |
| Diet |
Omnivore |
| Breeding |
Egglayer |
| Care |
Easy |
| pH |
6 to 7.5 |
| Hardness |
4 to 15 dGH |
| Temperature |
72 to 79 F (22 to 26 C) |
Purchase Size: approx 2-3"
* All Livestock is for Sale in Singapore only and and Not Available for overseas export.
If stated as Pre-Order:
Unless otherwise stated of availability in-store/online, pre-ordering lead time for livestock typically takes approximately 3-4 weeks for shipment arrival + 1 week of quarantine period before ready for delivery/collection. Once a pre-order has been received, any cancellation/amendment request will be subjected to a 5% admin fee charge of the order value. A full refund maybe requested without any cancellation charge imposed if the pre-ordered livestock fails to arrive after 30 days upon placing the order.
