Dwarf Upside Down Catfish
Synodontis nigriventris

Native to: Zaire and Niger River basin
Peaceful
Lifespan: 6+ years
Tank Level: All levels
Diet: Omnivore, eats most foods
pH: 6 - 7.5
Hardness: 4-15 dGH
Temperature: 72-79 F (22-26 C)

The Upside Down Catfish is peaceful and easy to care for, but is best kept in small schools.  They are good community fish, when kept with other peaceful species.  Water should be moderately soft and slightly acidic to neutral.  Aquarium temperature is not critical.  A well-planted tank is ideal, preferably using broad-leafed plants, as they like to browse the undersides of leaves.  Driftwood, rock arches, and caves that provide places to hide, are recommended.  It is quite normal for this fish to hang out on the underside of rocks, leaves, and driftwood.

In nature the upside down catfish feeds primarily on insects at the surface of the water. They will also graze on algae to supplement their diet.  In the aquarium environment they adapt readily to all types of foods, from dry to live or frozen.

Numbered among the Synodontis species, the dwarf upside-down catfish is named for its upside down swimming posture.  They are an extremely popular species that has been around for some time as their images have been found in ancient Egyptian art!

Considered a true dwarf catfish, they reach an adult size of only three to four inches.  Like other members of the Mochikidae family, they have large eyes, a large adipose fin, a forked tail, and three pairs of barbels.  Their light brown colored body is covered with dark brown blotches of various sizes.  The underside of the body is darker hued, which is the opposite of fish that swim with their belly downwards.  This reverse coloration serves to camouflage them when they swim upside down at the surface of the water.

Although they frequently swim upside down, they will swim normally for periods of time as well.  This is particularly true when they want to graze the bottom of the tank for food.  Young Upside Down Catfish do not swim upside down until they are several months old!   Like other catfish, they have sharp fin spines that can cause injuries when moving them. Take care when netting or moving these fish.

Upside Down Catfish tend to be most active at dusk and during the night hours.  Use of a moonlight light will allow owners to view their night activities.

On occasion, we may sub with another upside-down catfish: Mystus leucophasis if we are out of stock.