CheckMyFishTankUpside Down Catfish care
Synodontis nigriventris · Freshwater · Beginner level care
A peaceful catfish that swims upside down and likes hiding spots.
Feeding
Once a day. One or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes. Sinking pellets, frozen foods, vegetable matter.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Upside Down Catfish in a 58 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Upside Down Catfish.
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Upside Down Catfish need different water temperatures.
- Discus: Discus and Upside Down Catfish need different water temperatures.
- Convict Cichlid: Convict Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Upside Down Catfish.
- Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Upside Down Catfish.
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully peaceful Upside Down Catfish.
- Green Terror: Green Terror grows big enough to eat Upside Down Catfish.
- Red Zebra Cichlid: Red Zebra Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Upside Down Catfish.
Questions
What size tank does a Upside Down Catfish need?
At least 29 gallons for a group of 3. Adults grow to about 3.5 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Upside Down Catfish like?
75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Upside Down Catfish should I keep together?
Keep 3 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.
What do Upside Down Catfish eat?
Sinking pellets, frozen foods, vegetable matter. Feed once a day: one or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.