How to Care for a Black Upside Down Catfish

Black upside down catfish, also known as giant Asian upside down catfish, are an unusual and fascinating species. As their name suggests, these catfish spend much of their time swimming upside down, in order to skim food off the surface of the water. These fish are somewhat similar to more common types of upside down catfish, but they can grow much larger and tend to be more aggressive. Because of their size and temperament, black upside down catfish are excellent fish for advanced aquarists.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium -- 55 to 100 gallon size
  • Tight-fitting aquarium lid
  • Aquarium cave -- such as a piece of pipe, aquarium decoration or upside down flower pot
  • Thermometer
  • Water testing kit
  • Aquarium filtration system
  • Various fish foods
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up an aquarium that̵7;s 55 to 100 gallons in size. Although some black upside down catfish are only 5 inches long, others may grow to as long as 12 inches. If your fish reaches this size, it will need the larger aquarium. Place the tank in an area away from any drafts. Fill it with filtered tap water, and let the aquarium run with the filter on for several days before adding any fish.

    • 2

      Attach the tight-fitting lid to the aquarium. Black upside down catfish tend to jump from their habitats.

    • 3

      Add at least one hiding spot for the black upside down catfish. These types of fish prefer to have cave structures in their habitats. A piece of plastic pipe or an overturned flowerpot work well. Or you can use a manufactured aquarium cave.

    • 4

      Install a thermometer, and monitor the temperature of the water in the aquarium. These catfish prefer water temperatures in the 73 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit range. An aquarium heater can be used to maintain the temperature, if necessary.

    • 5

      Use a water testing kit to monitor the pH level. The pH level should be neutral, in the 6 to 8 range. It can be adjusted with water additives, if necessary.

    • 6

      Install a filtration system in the aquarium. The system should be designed for the size of the aquarium you have. An aquarium filter not only keeps the tank cleaner, it provides a slight current, which black upside down catfish prefer over still water.

    • 7

      Perform partial water changes once a week, to keep the aquarium clean. In a partial water change, about 25 percent of the dirty water is removed from the aquarium and replaced with fresh, clean water. This works in conjunction with the filtration system to maintain the aquarium.

    • 8

      Feed the black upside down catfish a variety of flake, freeze-dried and live foods -- such as brine shrimp, dried bloodworms and fish pellets. Black upside down catfish are scavengers, eating nearly anything.