Blub
Upside-Down Catfish
(Synodontis nigriventris)
Common names: Upside-down catfish, USD.
Size: 10cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Zaire
Gender: Males are darker and females are a little rounder.
Notes: The USD is a very unusual and peaceful fish unique in that it spends almost all it’s time upside down! In nature they ‘sit’ on the bottom of lily pads to avoid predation – which is why they live their lives in such a peculiar way.
These oddity's need lots of places to hang under – bogwood is ideal. They are somewhat shy, and are more active at night. However, they can be enticed out into the open in day by providing them with a small group (this fish should always be kept in a group of at least 3) and providing lots of caves and hiding places.
This fish’s coloration is curious in that it is dark on it’s belly and light on it’s upside – an adaptation to living upside down. When viewed from the bottom, the lighter color looks more like the sky (so predatory fish will have a more difficult time spotting it) and when viewed from the top it looks more like the leaf litter (so terrestrial enemies have a harder time finding it).
The Upside down catfish is an omnivore, and should be offered quality flake food, sinking pellets, and appreciates live foods.
On a more sinister note, when buying at the store make sure you really are getting S.nigriventis – there are plenty of less charming and larger and more aggressive Synodontis that it could be regrettably confused with.
(Synodontis nigriventris)
Common names: Upside-down catfish, USD.
Size: 10cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Zaire
Gender: Males are darker and females are a little rounder.
Notes: The USD is a very unusual and peaceful fish unique in that it spends almost all it’s time upside down! In nature they ‘sit’ on the bottom of lily pads to avoid predation – which is why they live their lives in such a peculiar way.
These oddity's need lots of places to hang under – bogwood is ideal. They are somewhat shy, and are more active at night. However, they can be enticed out into the open in day by providing them with a small group (this fish should always be kept in a group of at least 3) and providing lots of caves and hiding places.
This fish’s coloration is curious in that it is dark on it’s belly and light on it’s upside – an adaptation to living upside down. When viewed from the bottom, the lighter color looks more like the sky (so predatory fish will have a more difficult time spotting it) and when viewed from the top it looks more like the leaf litter (so terrestrial enemies have a harder time finding it).
The Upside down catfish is an omnivore, and should be offered quality flake food, sinking pellets, and appreciates live foods.
On a more sinister note, when buying at the store make sure you really are getting S.nigriventis – there are plenty of less charming and larger and more aggressive Synodontis that it could be regrettably confused with.
