🐟 False Upside-Down Catfish (Synodontis nigrita)
Mottled African Squeaker • Occasionally Swims Upside-Down • Not the Same as the True Upside-Down Catfish
 
📋 The False Upside-Down Catfish is a hardy, mottled African catfish found across West and Central Africa. It earns its name because it can occasionally swim upside-down, though far less often than the true, smaller Upside Down Catfish (S. nigriventris), a separate species we also carry. The two are often mixed up in the trade, and this species is commonly sold under the true Upside Down's name, so it's worth double-checking which one you're getting if that swimming habit matters to you.
Like other squeakers, it can squeak or croak by rubbing its pectoral spines, especially when handled or lifted from the water. It's generally peaceful, though it becomes a little more territorial toward its own kind as it matures, so if you keep more than one, give each plenty of hiding places and visual barriers. It's a fairly messy eater, so strong filtration keeps it happy.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Mottled Spotted Pattern: Distinctive African catfish markings
🔄 Occasionally Swims Upside-Down: Less often than its true namesake
🔍 Often Sold Under the True Upside Down's Name: Worth confirming the species
🔊 Squeaks or Croaks: Via pectoral spine stridulation
🛡️ Hardy and Adaptable: Tolerates stable conditions well