Care and Compatibility of Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris


Introduction

The Upside-Down Catfish gets its name from its habit of resting on the bottom of the aquarium, often resting against a vertical surface. Its coloration ranges from dark tones to browns and grays, allowing it to easily camouflage in its environment. It is a peaceful fish and can coexist with a variety of aquatic species.

Behavior

The Upside-Down Catfish, scientifically known as Synodontis nigriventris, is an interesting and popular species in the aquarium hobby. It is characterized by its unique appearance and calm behavior. It has an elongated and flattened body, with a rounded head and sensitive barbels around its mouth.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Synodontis nigriventris is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both males and females have a similar appearance, although males may be slightly larger and more robust than females.

Reproduction

Breeding Upside-Down Catfish in the aquarium can be challenging. It requires suitable water conditions, including optimal temperature and water quality. Males often search for a vertical surface, such as a leaf or rock, to deposit their eggs. The parents do not provide parental care, and it is common for them to consume the eggs. To increase the chances of successful breeding, suitable hiding places can be provided, and it is important to ensure that the fish are in good condition before attempting breeding.

Aquarium Conditions

Synodontis nigriventris, commonly known as the black-bellied squeaker catfish, requires a spacious, well-decorated aquarium with hiding spots and soft substrate. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral water and a moderate temperature. Aquarium décor should include driftwood, rocks, and caves. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a varied diet.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding, the Upside-Down Catfish is omnivorous and accepts a wide range of foods. It can be provided with a balanced diet that includes commercial foods in the form of pellets, tablets, or flakes. It may also accept live or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and small shrimp.

Complexity

Caring for Synodontis nigriventris is relatively straightforward. They are peaceful, nocturnal fish that adapt well to a wide range of water conditions. It's recommended to keep them in groups of at least three individuals to promote their natural behavior. They are omnivores and accept a variety of foods, including commercial bottom feeder pellets and shrimp.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Synodontis nigriventris (Upside-Down Catfish) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Synodontis nigriventris (Upside-Down Catfish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Upside-Down Catfish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 163 species compatible with the Synodontis nigriventris (Upside-Down Catfish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (163)

Compatible (105 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Bala Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Rio Grande cichlid - Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Rio Grande cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Frontosa Cichlid - Cyphotilapia frontosa

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Commando Cichlid - Nimbochromis venustus

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

False Discus - Heros severus

False Discus

Heros severus

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Celestial eye goldfish - Carassius auratus V

Celestial eye goldfish

Carassius auratus V

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Convict Cichlid - Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Pearl Cichlid - Altolamprologus Calvus

Pearl Cichlid

Altolamprologus Calvus

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Jewel Cichlid - Hemichromis lifalili

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis lifalili

Melanochromis auratus - Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Labidochromis caeruleus - Labidochromis caeruleus

Labidochromis caeruleus

Labidochromis caeruleus

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Johanni Cichlid - Melanochromis johannii

Johanni Cichlid

Melanochromis johannii

Bumblebee Cichlid - Pseudotropheus crabro

Bumblebee Cichlid

Pseudotropheus crabro

Neon Spot fish - Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Neon Spot fish

Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Hatchet Fish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Hatchet Fish

Thoracocharax stellatus

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Chinese Neon Tetra - Tanichthys albonubes

Chinese Neon Tetra

Tanichthys albonubes

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Ember Tetra - Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Caridina Shrimp - Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Archerfish - Toxotes jaculatrix

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Pearlscale Goldfish - Carassius auratus VI

Pearlscale Goldfish

Carassius auratus VI

Medaka Fish - Oryzias latipes

Medaka Fish

Oryzias latipes

Dwarf Swordtail - Heterandria formosa

Dwarf Swordtail

Heterandria formosa

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Weather Loach - Misgurnus spp

Weather Loach

Misgurnus spp

Pez ventosa de borneo - Sewellia lineolata

Pez ventosa de borneo

Sewellia lineolata

With Reservation (37 Species)

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Red-tailed Catfish - Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Red-tailed Catfish

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Red Terror Fish - Mesoheros festae

Red Terror Fish

Mesoheros festae

Black bullhead - Ameiurus melas

Black bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Midas king fish - Amphilophus citrinellus

Midas king fish

Amphilophus citrinellus

Flowerhorn cichlid - Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon

Blue Acara

Satanoperca daemon

Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Green Terror - Andinoacara rivulatus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis - Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Red-tailed Black Shark - Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Fire Fish Dragon Blood - Aulonocara Firefish

Fire Fish Dragon Blood

Aulonocara Firefish

Duboisi Cichlid - Tropheus duboisi

Duboisi Cichlid

Tropheus duboisi

Bicolor Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Bicolor Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Luwala Cichlid - Pseudotropheus Acei

Luwala Cichlid

Pseudotropheus Acei

Princess of Burundi Cichlid - Neolamprologus brichardi

Princess of Burundi Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Dwarf Pombos - Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Dwarf Pombos

Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Agassiz's Apistogramma - Apistogramma Agassizii

Agassiz's Apistogramma

Apistogramma Agassizii

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Wasp Goby - Brachygobius Xanthozona

Wasp Goby

Brachygobius Xanthozona

Jaguar Cichlid - Parachromis managuensis

Jaguar Cichlid

Parachromis managuensis

Butterfly Peacock Bass - Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Pez Cachama - Piaractus brachypomus

Pez Cachama

Piaractus brachypomus

Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead - Channa aurantimaculata

Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Nile Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma borellii

Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma borellii

Elephant Fish - Gnathonemus petersii

Elephant Fish

Gnathonemus petersii

Myanmar Darío - Dario sp Myanmar

Myanmar Darío

Dario sp Myanmar

Socolofi Cichlid - Pseudotropheus socolofi

Socolofi Cichlid

Pseudotropheus socolofi

Filamentous Tetra - Dicrossus filamentosus

Filamentous Tetra

Dicrossus filamentosus

Food competition (21 Species)

They can live together but you have to be careful since it is likely that the fastest fish will take all the food and leave nothing for their partners who are slow swimmers, so you have to make sure that everyone can eat.


Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Ruby Tetra - Axelrodia riesei

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon Simulans

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Mije Fish - Leporinus fasciatus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Cardinal Tetra - Paracheirodon axelrodi

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris
  • Ph: 6 - 8
  • Temperature (c°): 22 - 26
  • Measures: 10 cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    15 Liters - 4 Gallons
  • Alimentación: Omnivores, Scavenger
  • Colores: Black, Gris, Yellow
  • Comportamiento: Likes to take refuge, Peaceful
  • Habitad: African
  • Morfología: Cuirass or Carapace, Thorns or pointed
  • Preferencias del Acuario: Caves, Logs, Natural plants, Rocks, Sand
  • Tamaño: Small
  • Taxonomía: Fish
  • Tipo de Agua: Sweet water, Tropical waters
  • Velocidad de nado o movimiento: Slow
  • Zona de Nado: Aquarium background