Yellow Marbled Synodontis
Synodontis schoutedeni
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 13.8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 81 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Species profile
Upside Down Catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
Common names: Upside Down Catfish, Upsidedown Cat, Up-Side-Down Catfish, Upside-Down Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 10 cm
Up to 10 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
One of the most common Synodontis and a true upside-down swimmer, with a dark belly that looks reversed. Keep a group of at least 5 in 70 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
One of the most common Synodontis and a true upside-down swimmer, with a dark belly that looks reversed. It stays small, at about 10 cm, and it is peaceful and sociable, so it suits a community tank.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes can be hard to tell apart, although females are often rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 140–210 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–100 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 70 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 59 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide caves, wood and shade, because many catfish are active mostly at night.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Usually most active at dusk and after dark, and it hides during the day.
Social needs vary, so see the notes for this species.
Can defend a favourite hiding place.
Check adult size before choosing tankmates, because a catfish may eat anything that fits in its mouth at night. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Feed sinking foods, ideally after lights-out, so that it gets its share.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Beginner
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Synodontis
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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Asian Bumblebee Catfish
Pseudomystus siamensis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Asian Upside Down Catfish
Mystus leucophasis
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 432 litres
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Banjo Catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 87 litres
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C