🐟 Upside Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris)
Congo Basin Catfish • Swims Upside Down • Happiest in a Group of Five or More
 
📋 The Upside Down Catfish, also called the Blotched Upside-Down Catfish, is a small, peaceful Synodontis from the Congo basin and Cameroon, famous for spending much of its time swimming and resting belly-up beneath plants and décor. Its colouring is reversed to suit, with a darker belly and lighter back, which camouflages it when inverted. Young fish begin swimming upside down at around two months old.
It's a sociable, rather shy species that does best in a group of five or more, while a single fish tends to become timid and hide permanently. It stays small, reaching about 9.6cm, and is peaceful with similarly sized, calm tankmates.
The true Upside Down Catfish is often confused in the trade with other species, particularly the False Upside-Down Catfish (Synodontis nigrita) and juvenile Featherfin Squeakers (S. eupterus), both of which grow much larger. We carry those species separately, so you can choose the one you want.
 
💡 Highlights
🔄 An Upside-Down Swimmer: A darker belly suits its inverted lifestyle
👥 Happiest in a Group: Five or more suits it best
📏 Small: About 9.6cm at most
🔍 Often Confused With Larger Look-Alikes: The False Upside-Down Catfish and young Featherfins grow much bigger
🌙 Nocturnal and Shy: Appreciates dim light and shaded hiding spots