Fin's Fish Guide
The Upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 10 cm.
Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in calm, vegetated rivers and creeks.
Description
The upside-down catfish is a small African catfish of the family Mochokidae reaching about 10 cm. It owes its name to the habit of usually swimming upside down, mainly to forage on the undersides of leaves and driftwood. Notably its colour pattern is adapted to this: the belly is darker than the back, exactly the reverse of most fish, which camouflages it in this posture. The brown body bears dark spots, three pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and stout spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins that can cause painful puncture wounds. The species comes from the Congo basin in Central Africa and lives in quiet, vegetated rivers and creeks. It is a classic, popular aquarium fish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Upside-down catfish?
The Upside-down catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small African catfish that usually swims upside down; as a result its belly is darker than its back, the reverse of most fishes.
Where does the Upside-down catfish live?
The Upside-down catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in calm, vegetated rivers and creeks.
How big does the Upside-down catfish get?
The Upside-down catfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.
Is the Upside-down catfish dangerous to humans?
The Upside-down catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear stout, serrated spines that can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle a caught animal carefully and clean any wound.
Is the Upside-down catfish edible?
The Upside-down catfish is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Synodontis
More from the family Mochokidae
Want the complete picture on the Upside-down catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Upside-down catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.