Upside down catfish tank mates

Good matches

68 of 98

The safest picks for upside down catfish are bettas, angelfish and tiger barbs. Each match shares upside down catfish' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Peaceful oddball that swims belly-up under leaves and wood.

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 30 gal
With care: 14
Avoid: 16

How each group of fish does with upside down catfish. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive, though upside down catfish are big enough to shrug most of it off.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for upside down catfish.
Red tail shark Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for upside down catfish.
Rainbow shark Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small upside down catfish. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Amano shrimp Upside down catfish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Bamboo shrimp Upside down catfish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast upside down catfish will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for upside down catfish.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: upside down catfish want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid Different water: peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, upside down catfish want pH 6–7.5.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); upside down catfish need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); upside down catfish need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
Cherry shrimp An upside down catfish is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful upside down catfish.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, upside down catfish need 72–79°F.
Ghost shrimp An upside down catfish is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); upside down catfish need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful upside down catfish.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); upside down catfish need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, upside down catfish need 72–79°F.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, upside down catfish need 72–79°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the upside down catfish care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for upside down catfish?

Bettas, Angelfish, Tiger barbs, Guppies, Honey gouramis. They share upside down catfish' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with upside down catfish?

Axolotls, Oscars, Goldfish, Jack dempseys, Cherry shrimp. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); upside down catfish need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.