Synodontis nigriventris, or upside-down catfish, is a small African fish from the catfish family. It almost always swims belly up, which helps it collect food from the underside of leaves, driftwood, and water surface.
Unlike other catfish, it is distinguished by the habit of swimming upside down and a black belly color. This feature helps it better find food and camouflage from predators. In nature, it plays the role of a scavenger, eating detritus and small animals.
Immature form that undergoes metamorphosis before adulthood.
dermatomycosis
Describes the act of excavating soil or substrate to locate or access food.
Immediate 70–90% water changes; add ammonia-neutralizing conditioners; reduce feeding.
depends on progression
daphnia
Map
depends on care
Recommended to keep in an aquarium with subdued lighting; avoid inbreeding during breeding; add carotenoids to the diet.
Symptoms in the first hours.
Surgical removal when possible; diet.
cutaneous melanoma
branchial necrosis
unstable nitrogen cycle
hepatosis genetic
Transferred to a low-calorie diet (live and plant feeds); fasting days once a week.
Over 5–12 days.
Temperature increase to 28–30°C; salt or formalin baths.
ketosis
infection via feed
pork
spinal deformity syndrome
Mechanical removal; treatment with potassium permanganate or special agents.
live tubifex
Terminal stage in 2–4 weeks.
laying on side
high chlorine content
hepatic diseases
black growths
bile stasis
ammonia poisoning
intestinal protozoosis
golden plaque
dehydration
congenital
Develops within 1–3 months.
human food
infected bacteria
age diag byOther
Upcoming birthdays
nocardia
spinal deformity
Lifespan
white skin spots
Antibiotics; raising temperature to 28°C.
hemolymph inflammation
chronic trauma
Affecting multiple organs or the entire body.
argulosis
injury
Rapid spread over 4–8 days.
Antimycobacterial drugs (isoniazid); euthanasia in severe cases.
algae
rigidity
Progresses over 1–3 weeks.
From birth; severe course — death in the first weeks.
jaw malformation
Earliest developmental stage inside an egg or womb.
serious
metabolic diseases
wild rodents
Lifespan average
chilodonellosis
blue coating
genetic factor
albinism
Vitamin premixes, live feeds, and vegetables are introduced into the diet.
Develops over 5–8 days.
Progresses over 2–4 weeks.
Formalin, malachite green.
Freshwater
chronic inflammation
septicemia
starvation
fatal
limb hypothermia
training aptitude
Within 4–10 days.
Develops in 1–2 months.
Baths with formalin (1:4000) or malachite green; temperature increase.
Eyes size
hereditary defect
cm
genetic predisposition
zooplankton feeding, animal plankton — small crustaceans and larvae
muscular dystrophy
oodinium
turns
white cottony growths
Fat
neoascaris
bubbles under skin
Treatment is rarely required.
disease
renal failure
ovarian cyst
multiple hemorrhages
genetic cataract
white spots on spleen
Acute, 3–7 days.
Actively searching habitats to locate food items.
dwarfism syndrome
Symptomatic treatment; antibiotics.
rapid heartbeat
Prolonged course
feeding problems
Treatment with metronidazole and improvement of conditions.
Locomotion through water employed while searching for or capturing prey.
No treatment.
Offspring
Elders
Bro
Progresses over 2–4 months.
Diet correction.
Long-lasting or recurring health condition persisting over an extended period.
Antifungal medications; salt baths.
Can last from several days to weeks.
Affects the skin, scales, feathers or outer integument.
gyrodactylosis
birth date
Praziquantel.
renal organ failure
depends on gill damage degree
anorexia
Mechanical removal; salt treatment.
Career from 7 to 15 months. Dwarf hamsters, voles, field crickets celebrate their birthday twice a month
Increased water aeration.
The basics
young after transformation
genetic pigment anomaly
50% water changes; prescribe broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs (nitrofurans 2–4 mg/l); improve aeration.
depends on treatment
cryptocaryon irritans
virus
favorable
Feeds while suspended in open water between surface and bottom.
Mass
Fasting diet 2–3 days; then plant-based feeds; treatment of infections.
unfavorable in severe form
Gestation
convulsions
bacterial hepatitis
Treatment of the cause; salt baths.
white cysts body
spinal curvature — genetic
Food is gathered directly from leaf surfaces.
fatty liver dystrophy
photophobia
underground
fatty feeds
Eyes color
On the map
jaw deformity
poor feed quality
Female ♀
Body color
Body temperature
Map data sources: Ecosystem classification — IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (Keith et al., 2022), indicative distribution maps Keith et al. (2020), https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3546513; Large Marine Ecosystems — NOAA LME Program; Bathymetry — GEBCO Bathymetric Compilation Group (2026), GEBCO_2026 Grid, https://doi.org/10.5285/4f68d5c7-45eb-f999-e063-7086abc036fa; Climate data — Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Species occurrence data — GBIF.org, Derived dataset "all animals", https://zveriki.com/dataset/dataset.tsv; Terrestrial ecoregions — RESOLVE Ecoregions 2017 (Dinerstein et al., 2017), CC BY 4.0
Potential habitat modelled from GBIF occurrence data. Map © Zveriki.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Maintaining optimal water parameters.
dark tumorous nodules
Does not require treatment.
birth year
bacterial endocarditis
sq mm
chronic toxins
Diet low in fat.
Indicates a minor health issue that typically resolves with minimal intervention.
Chronic over months.
ichthyosis congenita
until the celebration
lack of reaction to sounds
What if eaten?
Slow progression
herpes-like virus
Moving up vertical surfaces like trunks or rocks to reach food.
zoo-plankton
intestinal distension
Palliative care.
genetic immunodeficiency syndrome
Antifungal therapy.
Acute course 7–14 days.
world of Afrotropics
oophoritis
gas bubble disease
abnormal fin shape
depends on nutrition
Stress reduction, stabilization of water parameters.
Always hot and wet
Foraging activity occurs primarily during nighttime hours.
aquatic plants and algae
frequent infections
How are they built?
encephalopathy
Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines) are prescribed; 50% water changes are performed daily; sick animals are isolated.
rapid pressure change
mm
ml
My age?
Develops in 5–10 days; mild — stops in a week, severe — complete loss of fins in 3 weeks.
Serious or life-threatening health condition requiring urgent attention.
body curvature
Iodine
hematuria
seawater
Progresses over 10–20 days.
Raise the temperature to 30°C; prescribe preparations based on malachite green or formalin (0,1–0,2 ml/l); perform 30–50% water changes daily.
Rabbits, falcons, red-eared turtles hang out for 6-9 years and party on their birthday four times a year
salt spices
Sensory system detecting water movements to locate prey.
chronic anemia
stress
arthritis
fin rot
Healing within 7–14 days under good conditions.
gas oversaturation
micro worms
whole life
embryo
acute jaundice
Rapid development.
No specific treatment; culling of affected animals.
kg
arboreal
severe intoxication
bottom
Picking small food items from foliage, ground, or other surfaces.
microsporidian species infection
loss of appetite
bacterial brain abscess
m
aeromonas spp
g
t
nitrate poisoning chronic
Severe course over 10–20 days.
Acute 7–14 days.
hot Africa south of the desert, many savannas and forests
branchial anomaly
How old you would be if you lived as {name}
Theoretical maximum lifespan estimated from the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) mathematical model. This value reflects a biological potential derived from metabolic parameters, not from direct observation — real recorded lifespans are often significantly shorter.
swollen body
No treatment; prevention.
plant
Antibiotics; improvement of aeration.
parasite
aggression from other fish
Disorder affecting biochemical processes such as nutrient conversion or energy balance.
colibacteriosis
skin redness
spinal curvature syndrome
vertical swimming
sudden dyspnea
systemic
heredity along the line
neonatal diarrhea
Acute within 3–7 days.
Sex
lethal
polydactyly
surface feeds
diseases symptoms pigment absence
Antibiotics, antiseptics, water quality improvement.
nematode invasion
Manifests immediately after hatching.
Truly long lives: 40-100 years. Bowhead whales, albatrosses, giant tortoises recall their birthday at most once a year
tetracycline
insect larvae and caterpillars
inherited hydrocephalus
fin paralysis
high nitrates
Foraging occurs on the floor of aquatic or terrestrial habitats.
traumatic pericarditis
capillariasis — capillaria
Infection prevention, immune system strengthening.
Visible after 2–4 weeks.
moderate
Supportive therapy, improvement of water quality and nutrition.
artemia nauplii
Juvenile stage following larval metamorphosis but not yet adult.
May be reversible within 2–6 weeks.
monodiet
viral hepatitis
white coating
Mature, fully developed individual capable of reproduction.
new aquarium
gleaning
high aggression
copper excess
red spots
Pets
Control of carbohydrates in the feed.
Primary oral structure used to seize, manipulate, or ingest food.
Diet, hepatoprotectors.
bacterial hemolymph infection
Develops within 4–8 days.
Progresses over 2 weeks.
Find an animal or breed...
diseases symptoms bulging eyes
Cycle 7–10 days.
Vitamin supplements (vitamin A) are recommended; lighting control.
Symptoms in the first 24–48 hours; resolve within 5–10 days when the cause is eliminated.
multiple bacteria
Chronic, 1–3 months until death.
Litter size
rapid breathing
Map data sources: Ecosystem classification — IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (Keith et al., 2022), indicative distribution maps Keith et al. (2020), https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3546513; Large Marine Ecosystems — NOAA LME Program; Bathymetry — GEBCO Bathymetric Compilation Group (2026), GEBCO_2026 Grid, https://doi.org/10.5285/4f68d5c7-45eb-f999-e063-7086abc036fa; Climate data — Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Species occurrence data — GBIF.org, Derived dataset "all animals", https://zveriki.com/dataset/dataset.tsv; Terrestrial ecoregions — RESOLVE Ecoregions 2017 (Dinerstein et al., 2017), CC BY 4.0
How to care for them?
common diseases
°C
Not specified
Water changes; add salt (0.1–0.3%); use bacterial preparations.
cloudy eyes
marfan syndrome-like
low ph
Symptomatic therapy; euthanasia in severe cases.
Antibiotics, aeration.
depends on severity
chronic stress
if born as {name}
Immunosuppressive therapy is not used; supportive care.
Rapid reproduction.
Foraging takes place among trees and woody vegetation.
enlarged abdomen
omnivore
Copper preparations (0.15–0.3 mg/l); followed by water changes.
introduction
Protein
swimming
Barbels count
The parasite is visible after 2–3 weeks.
primary food sources
hepatic lipidosis
Antiseptic baths (salt, methylene blue); isolation.
From birth, growth stops by day 90.
Water
hyperthyroidism
favorable in most cases
terrestrial
viral necrosis
white spots on gills
inability to spawn
oxygen toxicity
enteric infection
bleeding
age diag byColoration
{name} birthday
Develops over 2–4 months.
Supportive therapy, hepatoprotectors.
costiosis
skin ulcer disease
Disease affecting the liver and its functions.
red eye
balance loss
draft
Intensive antibiotic therapy.
Surgical removal.
shrimp
Gradual blood loss.
internal fungal foci
comfortable summer, +20…+25 °C
air swallowing
severe
Frequently observed or widespread in the species or population.
hereditary nephropathy
Very rapid course.
Manifests in the first 7–14 days; severe course leads to lethal outcome within 30 days.
Egg size
acute glomerulonephritis
age as {name}
corneal opacity
Parasites become noticeable after 7–14 days; development cycle 20–30 days.
Health issue of intermediate seriousness, neither mild nor life-threatening.
artemia
congenital heart defect
snout
syringomyelia
7–14 days.
Condition that typically results in death without intervention.
This is me
It progresses slowly over 4–8 months.
proportional underdevelopment
raw meat
trichodiniasis
favorable after eliminating cause
complete paralysis
ulcers on skin and mucous membranes
depends on etiology
Asexual
Acriflavine or chlorhexidine preparations; salt baths.
Surgical removal of tumors when possible.
When you would have been born if you lived as {name}
Daddies
Develops over weeks.
bacterial encephalitis
Anthelmintic drugs (praziquantel 2–10 mg/l).
foraging
Chronic wasting over 1–2 months.
Hermaphrodite ⚥
diseases symptoms malocclusion
genetic diseases
Antibacterial drugs; improvement of hygiene.
polyuria polydipsia
Tetracyclines.
will celebrate their {n} birthday
no itching
organ diseases
gill destruction
diseases symptoms jumping
Litters lifetime count
very hot and very humid all year round, rain almost every day
detritus, eat dead remains of plants, animals and all kinds of organic debris on the bottom
Rapid.
whiskers
infection
Rapid reproduction within 3–5 days.
Progresses within 1–3 months to a fatal outcome.
Introduction of vitamin A into the feed.
aeromonosis
hyperactivity
Stable.
genetic defect
From the first days of life.
dirty water
Repro interval
Acute course
temperature for housing
rotifers
Appears after 6 months; slowly progresses.
Maintenance of stable water parameters.
mucus discharge
Gremllins
Congenital, affects growth.
brown gills
Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Filters
mechanical trauma
Develops within 7–14 days.
fin edge rot
Reduce aeration; stabilize parameters.
Does not require special treatment.
incomplete shedding
labored breathing
Rapid deterioration over 5–10 days.
Symptomatic support.
buoyancy disorder
leaf
rock
salmonellosis
Wanderers
Food items are collected from exposed outer surfaces of substrates.
Jubilee = every 10th birthday
Minimum space
pelleted feed
camallanosis
Business sausages
ascites
Stabilization of water parameters; reduction of stress.
diarrhea
genetic anomaly
How do they behave?
Carbohydrates
rhabdovirus
uv
lernaeosis
immune reactions
scoliosis
cold water
all rivers and lakes
dactylogyrosis
Therapeutic diet.
malocclusion syndrome
Feeding occurs primarily on land or in vegetation.
{name} jubilee
Months
transport
Old-timers
pregnancy toxemia
saprolegnia parasitica
Rascals
balance disorders
diet imbalance
rapid condition change
hot Africa south of the desert, many savannas and forests
Detected on day 10–20 after hatching; stable or slowly progressive.
Disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa.
Barbels size
Egg color
skin ulcers
Where are they found?
Species lacks any fixed or lasting shelter structure.
Dorsal fin size
all rivers and lakes
live plants
systemic bacteremia
Mineral supplements, calcium and phosphorus in the correct ratio.
wound
white coating on body
white flakes
Prescribe drugs based on organophosphates or ivermectin; treat the entire aquarium; remove crustaceans mechanically.
genetic osteodystrophy
unusual coloration
Balanced feeding with high-quality feeds.
no permanent shelter
Offer live feeds; treat the underlying disease.
diseases symptoms movement disorder
water column
accelerated gill breathing
acute pancreatitis
climbing
My weight?
Salt baths; temperature increase.
Non-stop carnival: they only live a few days. Mayflies, rotifers, midges celebrate their birthday more than twice a day
Incubation 3–7 days; severe course — death within 10 days.
surface
hypoglycemia
bone deformity
Potential Habitat
Acute poisoning within 1–3 days; with a decrease in concentration, recovery within 5–7 days.
In husbandry
On the go from 1.3 to 3.5 years. Forest mice, anoles, rainbow fish party on their birthday once a month
Feeding occurs in water bodies such as rivers, lakes, or oceans.
subcutaneous nodules
Congenital, stable.
substrate
Present from birth, does not progress.
Feeding with soft foods.
aquatic
Improvement of water quality; salt baths.
Praziquantel or fenbendazole; fasting.
No results found
immunosuppression
Provide shelters, optimal parameters; minimize stress.
Disease disrupting the function of the reproductive system.
distended abdomen
small crustaceans
cachexia
viral hemorrhagic disease
renal diseases
anchor worms on body
flexibacter
coordination disorder
Acute course 5–14 days; chronic — several months.
unsanitary keeping conditions
neurological diseases
hormonal imbalance
Calcium + Vitamin D3
unfavorable without treatment
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed; intensive water changes and aeration are performed.
How similar?
Slow development over the years.
Male ♂
bloating
Reduce aeration; perform gradual water changes.
On the go from 3.5 to 6 years. Hedgehogs, crows, lizards treat themselves to birthday snacks 6 times a year
sessile ciliates
Neither
hereditary vitamin a deficiency
excessive aeration
enlarged head
genetic scoliosis
vision impairment
Metronidazole in feed (0.25% for 10 days).
Freshwater
Duration
Antibiotics in a prolonged course.
Reduce protein content in the feed; perform salt baths.
parasitic diseases
Increase aeration and filtration; reduce temperature.
Vitamin C
freshwater
Theoretical lifespan
Stars
Link copied
head pits and erosions
fin deformity syndrome
vegetables and fruits
From birth.
freshwater environment — rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps
monogenea infestation
scale loss
Rapid progression over 3–6 days; fatal outcome without treatment.
tears
avitaminosis
skin irritation
inbreeding
Where do they take shelter?
Chronic with poor nutrition.
infectious diseases
Disorder caused by inherited or mutation-based factors.
Attacks begin after 30–60 days.
anaerobic conditions
small crabs, amphipods and other crustaceans
Lifespan maximum
metabolic bone disease secondary hyperparathyroidism
bacterial pneumonia
Develops within 2–5 days.
Mandarin
Antibiotics
Disease affecting the kidneys and their function.
laying on bottom
Observations
genetic hemophilia-like syndrome
Low-protein diet; osmosis control.
Worker
birth time
B vitamins; rest.
hormonal disruption
loss of coordination
hemorrhages throughout the body
Dogs, dolphins, lynx hang out for 9-25 years and party on their birthday three times a year
worm
When your next jubilee falls in {name} life years
Human
gill anomaly
Regular 30–50% water changes weekly.
days
Disease affecting specific internal organs or organ systems.
Adjust pH to 6.8–7.5 gradually; perform aeration.
adult
Maturity
organic debris
fatty products
respiratory failure under stress
Health
About health
Searches for food on or among rocks and stony surfaces.
swim bladder genetic anomaly
When your next birthday would fall if you lived as {name}
depression
mycobacteriosis — mycobacterium
chemicals
results
chlamydia pneumoniae infection
dirty feed
jaw osteoma
hiding behavior
myocarditis
Colors
chronic
Acute over 2–5 days.
Upcoming jubilees
matte coating
mo
diseases symptoms small body size
Acute, death in 3–10 days.
Prolonged.
Chronic, months.
Develops in 7–12 days.
Trophic type
selective mutation
always hot and humid, huge trees and vines
spinal kink
16 to 24 grams, 7 – 12 centimeters
leptospirosis analog
water
Age (from birth to death)
Develops by 4–6 months.
bloodworm
live feeds
chronic hypoxia
Elimination of the cause; therapeutic baths.
Symptoms within 5–10 days.
poor diet
cottony growths around mouth
Anthelmintics (levamisole).
Develops over 4–7 days.
Add mineral salts to the water; diversify the diet.
young after fast growth
Chronic course
Antibacterial drugs; improvement of water parameters.
What do they look like?
Maturity
emergence (insects)
end of lifespan
Manifests in the first 14–21 days; mild — minimal deformities, severe — progresses up to 60 days.
How do they live?
fertilization / egg laying
birth / hatching
metamorphosis / end of larval stage
end of acceleration
iridovirus disease
depends on location and stage
fatty freshwater fish
Share
peeling
Find a pet...
Slow growth.
Egg count
high co2 levels
digging
reduced activity
Acute, high mortality.
spine malformation
Increased morbidity from the first months.
Acute.
Anthelmintic agents.
lateral line
skin ulceration
mouth
feline hepatic disease complex
Acute, symptoms within 1–2 days.
It can be acute or chronic.
gene mutation
new fish introduction
Develops gradually over 3–6 months.
osteomyelitis
age
Living from 25 to 40 years. Orangutans, bald eagles, African elephants celebrate their birthday twice a year
Rapid spread.
Develops in 5–12 days.
lens opacity
Transferred to a therapeutic diet low in fats; hepatoprotectors.
congenital scoliosis
Antibiotic therapy; intensive support.
Legendary longevity: over 100 years. Galapagos tortoises, Greenland sharks, ocean quahogs celebrate with family once every 4 years
Tropical moist forest
Diet correction, addition of plant-based feeds.
weight loss
Present at birth due to genetic or developmental factors.
Correction of housing conditions and diet is recommended; surgical intervention is not performed.
columnaris disease
Taxons
tail fin destruction
antennopathy
reproductive diseases
internal bleeding
plistophorosis
age
Copper preparations; UV sterilizer.
irritation
Quarantine and destruction.
dermatological diseases
genetics
high temperature
Close
was
diseases symptoms muscle weakness
nocturnal
Acute course within hours; recovery upon normalization within 1–2 days.
chronic anorexia
craniofacial dysplasia
visceral mycosis
white mucus
skin dermatitis
d
Mosquitoes, fruit flies, small crustaceans hustle for up to 7 months and throw a birthday party every week
Treatment with malachite green or acriflavine.
skin granulomas
Water conditioners are used; water is aged before replacement.
epistylis
age diag bySize
open ulcers
hypokalemia syndrome
Appearance of plaque within 2–5 days; with mild course, regression in 7–10 days, with severe — sepsis in 10–14 days.
Observable decrease in normal movement or energy levels.
swim bladder disorder
Pleasant summer
all life stages
cholecystitis
Tumour-related disease including malignant and benign neoplasms.
world of Afrotropics
From birth, stable course; mild — without complications, severe — increased sensitivity to light in the first 30 days.
hereditary factors
pale skin
mild
live earthworms
pseudomonosis
spirulina
Maturity
weak immunity
hemorrhagic ulcers
yr
body deformity
Immune support.
pseudomonas spp
Adipose fin size
How do they breed?
Improve water quality; prescribe salt baths (0.3–0.5%) and antifungal agents; remove affected tissues.
Antibiotics in the feed.
Antibiotics, improvement of water quality.
What do they eat?
insect larvae
onion garlic and hot pepper
Where do they live?
red threads at anus
Antibacterial therapy; improvement of conditions.
hirudinosis
beef
early young
cardiovascular diseases
Disease affecting the nervous system, brain, or nerves.
poor water quality
Incubation 3–7 days; mild — resolves in 10–14 days with treatment, severe — death in 5–7 days without therapy.
Gamers
lordosis
Indicates recovery is likely when appropriate husbandry is provided.
hereditary melanoma
Destruction of sick fish; disinfection of the aquarium.
burning gills
bacterial disease
wk
My size?
temperament
acute nephritis
Antifungal drugs.
swap
skin parasites
black spots
Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones at therapeutic doses); quarantine.
guarded depends on progression
jaw deformity genetic
metabolic bone disease — genetic form
celebrated their {n} birthday
Supportive nutrition, B vitamins.
mild enteritis
Develops within 3–7 days.
Illness caused by parasites such as worms, protozoa, or ectoparasites.
dry cereals and hay
oncological diseases
unfavorable
ichthyophthirius multifiliis
No effective treatment; prevention.
river
mild mycosis
stress-induced disease
Length
nitrite toxicity
Manifests after 4–8 weeks.
◉{N} more on tap