Upside-down catfish

The upside-down catfish is a small African catfish of the family Mochokidae, native to the central Congo River basin. It is named for its habit of swimming and feeding belly-up, an adaptation that lets it graze from the undersides of leaves, branches, and the water surface. Its coloration is even reversed, with a darker belly to match this inverted posture. It is a peaceful, nocturnal, shoaling omnivore that feeds on insect larvae, crustaceans, and organic matter. It is happiest in a small group. In the aquarium it appreciates a well-planted tank with driftwood, broad-leaved plants, and shaded overhangs where it can rest inverted. It accepts sinking foods, frozen items, and will feed at the surface. It is a good community fish for calm tankmates and tolerates a range of water conditions, making it fairly beginner-friendly, though it is most active after dark.