The Upside Down Catfish one of the more attractive Catfish available. They are known and desired for their unique trait of swimming upside down. They are rarely seen swimming right side up.

Upside Down Catfish, also known as Bugeye Squeakers and David's Rückenschwimmender Kongowels are a peaceful fish. They will not bother other fish that are of the same size, and they make for good community fish. They are a nocturnal species. If kept in groups, they will school. During the day, the Upside Down Catfish will probably hide in dense vegetation. Upside Down Catfish should be kept in very large tanks, with patches of very dense vegetation and rocks for them to hide in. Floating plants are also recommended, since they block out light in a natural way. Though the average lifespan for this fish is 5 years, some may live as long as 7 years.

At maturity, the Upside Down Catfish will reach a size of four to six inches. They have dark green to black bodies, with various spots of brown to gray. They have rayed fins, which give the fish an exotic, somewhat dangerous look. Their bodies are long and narrow, which allows them to be extremely quick and agile. Females tend to be rounder in body than males. The females can be further distinguished by their lighter coloring.

The Upside Down Catfish, or Synodontis nigriventris is from North Africa, mainly Zaire. In their natural habitat they are known to form large schools. They are commonly seen in streams, rivers and ponds with muddy bottoms. They can also be seen near the shoreline in vegetation.

Owning Upside Down Catfish is relatively easy. They will do well in a large range of pH levels, however, ranging from 6.2 to 7.2 and a half. They should be kept in water at a temperature from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Upside Down Catfish should be fed Mosquito larvae and other insect larvae. Other small live foods, including brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms, beef heart, prawns, earthworms and tubifex worms are also accepted, as well as frozen and flake foods.

The Upside Down Catfish is one of the few catfish that can be commercially breed in aquariums. This makes them one of the cheaper catfish available. Curiously fry will swim right side up until they reach about two months of age.