Upside-down catfish Care Guide

Care Process

The Upside-down catfish is a resilient species that can thrive within a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 and requires a stable water temperature between 24°C and 28°C. With a minimum school size of six, these social fish should be kept together to ensure a complex, interactive environment, minimizing loneliness and stress. Given their hardiness rating of four, they are robust and can handle a moderate amount of environmental changes, making them suitable for aquarists with moderate experience.

Feeding

Upside-down catfish have diverse dietary preferences including flakes, pellets, and various forms of live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods. Their diet can be enriched with bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, frozen shrimp, and daphnia. They also benefit from vegetable matter, algae wafers, and special color-enhancing foods to maintain their vibrant appearance. It's important to offer a balanced diet to satisfy their nutritional needs and keep them healthy.

Tank Setup

These catfish require approximately 50 liters of water per fish, as they grow to lengths between 8 cm and 15 cm. Their habitat should incorporate a complex environment with areas for surface, mid-tank, and bottom dwelling. This setup will indulge their natural behaviors and offer plenty of opportunities for exploration and hideouts. Ensuring a well-aerated and filtered tank is essential to maintain water quality and support their health.

Behavior and Compatibility

Upside-down catfish are mostly peaceful with a mild territorial nature. They exhibit playful and sometimes shy behaviors and can be slightly aggressive. This makes them compatible with other non-aggressive species. During breeding, there is no increase in aggression, making them great candidates for community tanks.

Other Information

The affordability of Upside-down catfish is moderate, making them accessible for many aquarists. Their low maintenance level is attractive to those who want a less demanding aquarium setup. Regular tank cleaning, changing the water, and monitoring the environment will ensure their well-being and maximize their lifespan.