New Upside Down Catfish

Just brought the little guy home and acclaimated him to the tank. He loves the driftwood and hiding places and seems to exploring every inch of the tank.

I plan to feed him quality flake food, freeze dried bloodworms, and maybe sinking shrimp wafers. Any other suggestions?

I have read that they are great 'community' fish - hope that is right.

I hope to get pics of him tomorrow - keeping the lights off for tonight.

Sorry - no scientific name on them at the LFS. Is there any way to tell by looking at them?

He is a medium brown and speckled with darker spots. Sorry - I had no idea there were multiple types.

I was speaking with the LFS staff - and he actually seemed to know what he was talking about. I asked about the size they would grow to and he said about 3 inches. He also said that these were 'real upside down cats' not the aggressive ones that are sometimes sold under the same name.

I have been checking the internet for pictures - so far mine seems to match.

If they prefer to have more of their own kind in the tank, then I guess my arm could be twisted to go back and pick up another couple. Would 3 be OK?

I will have to force myself to go back to the store tomorrow - LOL

I will try to get the right name and then if they are Synodontis nigriventris I will pickup another 3. That will give them a school of 4. Once they pass QT they will likely end up in my 72 Bowfront so they will have lots of room.

Went back to the LFS and the little guy I picked up last night is Synodontis Nigriventris - so... I bought 3 more.

I did a lot a research on them last night and once they grow out a little I will put them in the 72 gal. They will have lots of room in there and 4 Bronze Cories to play with too.

I checked 3 times today and could not find the little guy in the tank. He/she was hiding - snuggled into the twisted driftwood in the tank. The only way I could find him was to tap on the driftwood - then he came out for a minute.

After I acclaimated the 3 new arrivals and let them go in the tank it was great fun to watch. They all zoomed around the tank - upside down of course - and then all ended up in a pile in one corner. About that time the first cat - from last night - came out from under the driftwood - and swam by the pile. The 3 newbies took off after the 'oldtimer' - it was like a parade - all around the driftwood and from every angle you could imagine. It was like they were happy to see each other again.

They are much more active and visable with 4 in the tank. 3 of them are fairly brown with darker spots, but one is a little lighter and the spots are not as defined - more blobs than spots. Not sure if they are all the same or perhaps an imposter snuck in some how. Time will tell.

I love my little 'oddballs' already.:hearts:
They are perfect - quirky but not aggressive.

I took some pics but have to load the camera software on my laptop so that I can upload them. Hope to get that done tonight.