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Photo of: Upsidedown Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris)
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Scientific Name(s): Synodontis nigriventris
Common Name(s): Upsidedown Catfish
Family: Mochokidae
Species Type: African Catfish
Maximum Size: 4 inches
Life Span: 15 years
Natural Habitat: African Rivers (Zaire)
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Tank Region: All over
Possible Tank Mates: Elephant Noses, Baby Whales, African Black Knife Fish, and other Synodontis Catfish are good tank mates. This species is also commonly used in African Cichlid tanks.
Description: Numbered among the Synodontis species, the upside-down catfish is aptly named for its upside down swimming posture. They are a popular species that apparently have been admired for countless centuries, as their images have been found in ancient Egyptian art.
Considered a dwarf catfish, they reach an adult size of 3-4 inches. Like other members of the Mochikidae family, they have large eyes, a large adipose fin, forked tail, and three pairs of barbels. Their light brown colored body is covered with dark brown blotches of various sizes. Interestingly, the underside of the body is darker hued, which is the opposite of fish that swim with their belly downwards. This reverse coloration serves to camouflage them when they swim at the surface of the water.
Temperature Range 72°F - 80°F
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| 60°F |
65°F |
70°F |
75°F |
80°F |
85°F |
90°F |
| pH 5.0 |
pH 6.0 |
pH 7.0 |
pH 8.0 |
pH 9.0 |
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African Catfish
