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General information - As its common name implies, the Upside Down Catfish will swim upside down. There are a few theories about this unusual swimming behavior; some say that the Synodontis nigriventris swim upsidedown because it just wants to graze the underside branches or to eat mosquito larvae that congregate at the water’s surface. Another theory accounts for this unusual behavior as a defense strategy. The Upside-Down Catfish has light brown colored body covered with dark brown blotches. Synodontis means “dog-toothed" while nigriventris means “black-bellied.” Common Name - Blotched upsidedown catfish Scientific Name - Synodontis nigriventris Family - Mochokidae Origin – Africa, Zaire Size – About 4 inches (20 cm) First discovered – David, 1936
Photo by:Arnon Reisman
Nutrition - Lots of people keep the Upside-Down Catfish on their clean-up crew. It has a great tendency towards meaty food. Dried commercial food, frozen and live food Is welcomed Behavior – peaceful Maintenance and care – Should be kept in a 25 gallon tank size and up. Decorate its tank with woods, rocks caves and other hiding places.The upsidedown catfish should be kept with other Synodontis Catfish, Elephant Noses, and African Black Knife Fish. It also can be kept with African cichlids. Water Parameters – Temperature: 72F-82F, PH: 6.5-8, DGH: 4-15 Breeding - There have been a limited number of successful spawning in an aquarium. The eggs hatch in approximately two days, fry will feed of the yolk sac, upon the fourth day the fry are ready to eat hatched brine shrimp.
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