chowes

I was just reading something adn someone had an upside down cat with their africans. Could I put one in with mildly aggressive lake mbunas? I can't really get cuckoo cats that would work better around here.

MissMTS

The upside down catfish need to be kept in schools of 6 or more, so you couldn't just add one. I personally wouldn't try it. They only get 3-4 inches which is not very big, and they are a little bit timid, and would not mix well with the more aggressive nature of the mbuna. Also, they prefer soft water while the mbuna prefer hard water.

Slug

Yes. Most forms of Synodontis work well with Mbuna. Though S. nigriventris is one of the smaller species.

EDIT: Its not REQUIRED they be kept in a school, especially not a larger school. 2-3 would work fine.

MissMTS

Sorry I should explain myself. They are generally a lot more active if kept in groups of 6 or more, kept in smaller groups they are a lot more timid and you see less of them because they spend more time hiding. I am not saying its impossible to keep them with mbuna, I just personally wouldn't try it

Allie

Mbuna are algae eaters so you really don't need a catfish pleco with them.

MousePotato

I have a giant Asian upside-down catfish in my tank. When I read up on the species I read that "boisterous mbuna" were actually recommended tankmates. I guess it's because the catfish is sooooo active! She'd drive anything else crazy with her antics!