Asian Upside Down Catfish

The Asian upside down catfish (Mystus leucophasis) is a Myanmar bagrid catfish and, unlike the African Synodontis that shares the common name, it really does spend much of its time swimming inverted, cruising along beneath wood and overhangs with its belly to the surface. The body is a matte charcoal to black, and older fish develop a scatter of pale diamond-shaped flecks along the flanks. Four pairs of long barbels sweep ahead of it as it hunts.

Aquarium care

• Nocturnal and secretive; it needs caves, pipes and overhanging wood to feel settled.
• Grows well beyond nano size and needs a roomy tank.
• Predatory. It will eat any fish small enough to swallow.
• Dim lighting, or floating plants to shade the tank.
• Carnivorous: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, chopped prawn and mussel.

A good fish for someone who wants an odd, characterful catfish and has tankmates large enough to be safe, such as bigger barbs, medium cichlids and other sizeable catfish. Tetras, rasboras and shrimp will not last.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current catfish list.