All fish / Mochokidae

Upside-down catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Also known as upside down catfish, upsidedown catfish, upside-down synodontis, blotched upside-down catfish, black-bellied synodontis, nigriventris catfish, upside down cat, ปลาแมวคว่ำ, シノドンティス・ニグリベントリス, lele terbalik, 倒游鼠, 倒吊鼠

A small, light brown squeaker catfish covered in darker blotches, with a dark belly that suits its habit of swimming upside down. It often hangs belly up beneath leaves, roots and overhangs, which makes it an amusing and peaceful addition to community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Africa: Congo River basin (DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic)

Breeding

It has been bred in captivity, but only rarely; it spawns in caves and the pair guard the eggs and fry. Fry begin swimming the right way up and start turning over after a few weeks.

Good to know

It is mainly active at dusk and stays shy if kept alone, so give it caves, wood and a group of its own kind. Juveniles of larger Synodontis species are sometimes sold under the same name and can grow much bigger.