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.


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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 103 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 (103)

Compatible (72 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

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

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

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

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ruby Tetra - Axelrodia riesei

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon Simulans

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Caridina Shrimp - Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

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

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

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

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

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

Similar Sizes (26 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon

Blue Acara

Satanoperca daemon

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

Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

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

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

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

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Princess of Burundi Cichlid - Neolamprologus brichardi

Princess of Burundi Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

With Reservation (3 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


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.


Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead - Channa aurantimaculata

Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Nile Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Compatible if space is enough (2 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

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
  • Behavior: Likes to take refuge, Peaceful
  • Morphology: Cuirass or Carapace, Thorns or pointed
  • Size: Medium, Small
  • Swimming area: Aquarium background
  • Water Type: Sweet water