HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosBlotched upsidedown catfish Blotched upsidedown catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) Scientific name: Synodontis nigriventris David, 1936 The Blotched upsidedown catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows to about 7.5 cm (3 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: AFRICA; Streams and rivers in Zaire, Congo River basin. Blotched upsidedown catfish care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size7.5 cm (3 in)Minimum tank115 L (30 US gal)Temperature22–28°C (72–82°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods and brine shrimp. BiologyFeeds mainly at night on insects, crustaceans and plant matter. Oviparous. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSynodontis nigriventrisFamilyMochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length9.6EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: middle Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo (=Stanley Pool) and drainages of the Kasai and Ubangi. Questionably reported from Makaka, Republic of the Congo, outside the Congo River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More catfish & plecosSynodontis brichardiPareutropius buffeiBronze corydorasCorydoras aeneusBloch's catfishPimelodus blochiiBlue panaqueBaryancistrus begginiRedtail catfishPhractocephalus hemioliopterusSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026