Upside-down Catfish

About

A habitually inverted catfish from the rivers of Myanmar, Mystus leucophasis is one of those species that genuinely surprises people the first time they see it cruising belly-up along the surface. This behavior is reminiscent of the African Synodontis catfishes, and that resemblance has caused real problems in the hobby: juveniles sold at a couple of inches are routinely mistaken for the much smaller and more docile Synodontis nigriventris. The two are not hard to tell apart once you know what to look for. This species is a solid, uniform black all over, lacking the countershading and brownish tones of the Synodontis. Larger adults may develop some lighter flecking along the flanks, but the overall dark coloration stays consistent. The confusion matters because Mystus leucophasis grows substantially and carries a temperament to match. It is territorial, will consume smaller tankmates outright, and tends to harass slower or more passive fish. It fares much better alongside robust, fast-moving species like large barbs, Apollo sharks, or sizable cichlids, including African mbuna. Keeping more than one requires a very large setup, since individuals are typically intolerant of their own kind. This is an intermediate-level species that rewards experienced keepers who do their homework before buying.