Why do synodontis catfish swim upside down?

As its common name implies, the upside-down catfish will swim upside-down. One theory accounts for this unusual behavior as a feeding strategy. In the wild, it often grazes on the undersides of submerged branches and logs, and swimming upside-down makes these areas more accessible.

Why would a fish be upside down?

If your fish is swimming upside down, it has a problem with its swim bladder. Your fish has stopped being able to control its swim bladder and has got stuck with too much air inside it. The reason for this could be constipation, a poor diet, eating habits, or an infection.

Do Synodontis swim upside down?

The true Upside-down catfish, Synodontis nigriventris, is adapted for feeding from the surface on insects and other items that fall into the water. But because Synodontis swim the wrong way up, they use reverse-countershading so that their bellies are darker than their backs.

How can you tell the gender of an Upside-Down Catfish?

The females have large in comparison to their male counterparts and appear paler in colour. Even though these fish have the habit to swim upside down, you may find them swim normally, especially when they are searching for food at the bottom of the aquarium.

Can you keep one upside-down catfish?

These fish are very peaceful and get along just fine with other non-aggressive fish. That said, they do best in groups of three to four fish of the same species. When kept in groups, they get more confident and social.

What is the lifespan of an upside-down catfish?

15 years
Upside-down catfish have been carved into Egyptian tomb walls dating back 4,000 years. Today, they’re more often found in aquariums, where they can live up to 15 years and grow to be 4 inches long.

What happens when your fish is upside down?

If an aquarium fish is listing to one side or flops over on its back, it often means it has swim bladder disease, a potentially life-threatening condition usually brought on by parasites, overfeeding or high nitrate levels in the water.

What should I do if my fish is floating upside down?

Do these to ensure your fish would never have to face swim bladder disease again:

1. Avoid overfeeding.
2. Avoid feeding floating foods.
3. Avoid feeding air-filled foods.
4. Soak foods before offering.
5. Thaw frozen foods.
6. Perform regular water changes.
7. Buy a large filter.
8. Maintain the water temperature.

Do upside-down catfish sleep?

every time the upside down catfish goes to sleep, it turns upside down(the “upside down catfish” turns upside down, how ironic) and floats. whenever it’s awake (those few hours a day) it cleans the exact same spot over and over behind the filter.

How big do Burmese upside-down catfish get?

between 3 and 4 inches
The average size of Upside Down Catfish is between 3 and 4 inches in length. These creatures are on the smaller side compared to other catfish species. While they might not reach the enormous sizes of some other catfish, this can prove to be quite useful in your aquarium.

Why is my fish swimming upside down and sideways?

When a fish is unable to control its depth, or starts swimming sideways, upside side down, or head or tail down, it may have “swim bladder disease.” A fish with swim bladder disease can be a troubling sight to see, but it can be treated.

What kind of fish is an upside down catfish?

The upside-down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) is a small catfish with the unique habit of swimming and resting upside-down. These fish spend upwards of 90\% of their time in the inverted position and have a reverse colour scheme to most fish – with their belly being darker than the dorsal area.

Why does Synodontis nigriventris swim upside down?

Such a distinctive feature appeared because almost 90\% of its time the fish spends swimming upside-down. Besides, considering the fact that Synodontis nigriventris gathers the food from water surface, it is very important for the fish to keep an eye on what is going on in the lower water layers.

What kind of filter does an upside-down catfish need?

Upside-down catfish are an undemanding fish and most tanks only require a hang-on-back filter. These filters use both mechanical and biological filtration and have the added benefit of providing much-needed current to an aquarium.

Is Synodontis nigriventris a dangerous fish?

Synodontis nigriventris in general is a peaceful and calm fish, but it may show territory dependence and fight with the species of its kind and eat small tank dwellers, whose size allows to eat them. If you put enough of shelters into the tank, you don’t have to worry about the fights.