Imported 

Upside Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Native Location: Democratic republic of Congo, Cameroon

Climate: Tropical

Maximum Size: 10cm

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Moderate

Temperature Range: 24-28℃ (75-82℉)

Preferred pH Range: 6.0-7.5

Minimum Aquarium Size: 70l for a single species

Potential Tankmates: Dwarf Cichlids, Tetras, More Upside-Down Catfish

Care Level: Easy

The Upside-Down Catfish is one of the most peaceful catfish around. A highly sociable fish that is found heavily planted riverbanks of the Congo River. A blackwater setup with soft sandy substrate, leaf litter or botanicals scattered across the bottom of the aquarium and plenty bogwood for hiding places make a great setup. We recommend keeping 2-3 of these cute little catfish. This will encourage more social behaviour and more opportunities to observe them during daytime.

In their natural habitat, they diet will consist of almost anything they can find. They are not fussy eaters but in the aquarium setting, we recommend a mixture of frozen, live and dry foods. Insect meal-based pellets or algae tablets also offer a good balance. Don’t be surprised to see these catfish take food directly from the surface while swimming upside down.

A nice treat for them is boiled peas with their shells removed. They go crazy for them.

Breeding is not overly challenging however there is not much information available. From a personal level, we would recommend adding cooler water during water changes to simulate the rainy seasons for activating spawning behaviours. Ideally a large heavily planted and dimly lit aquarium would be best.

All our fish are quarantined on arrival for two weeks. During this time, they are treated for any possible diseases and given a complete health check  to make sure they are health, happy and eating well before being placed in our display aquariums, ready for sale.

Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy: In the unfortunate event that your fish arrives dead, please follow these steps: Within 12 hours of the delivery, take clear, unopened bag pictures showing the deceased fish. Send these photographs and your order number to our customer service email at [email protected] or to our Facebook page and we will then offer a refund or store credit for the cost of the fish. 

Two-Week Guarantee Policy: We stand behind the health and quality of our fish, which is why we offer a two-week guarantee starting from the day of delivery. If your fish dies within this time frame, adhere to the following procedure: Take clear photos of the deceased fish. Using a reliable test kit, document via a dated photo, water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels). Please email us the photographs, water parameters, and order number to [email protected] or our Facebook page. After reviewing your claim, if approved, we will issue a store credit for the cost of the fish. Our two-week guarantee does not cover fish deaths due to unsuitable water conditions, incompatible tank mates or “disasters” i.e. a heater overheating. We recommend thoroughly researching each fish species' needs before introducing them to your aquarium to prevent such situations. 

 Freight Charges: Please note that shipping or freight charges are non-refundable under all circumstances. We hope this guide makes our refund and guarantee process more understandable. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We are always happy to assist. Thank you for choosing The Fish Room. Happy fish keeping!