Upside-down catfish compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Upside-down catfish, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Upside-down catfish page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| temperature | 24 | 37% |
| territory | 17 | 26% |
| breeding aggression | 15 | 23% |
| predation | 6 | 9% |
| invertebrate risk | 3 | 5% |
| ph | 3 | 5% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Comfortable for both | 26 |
| Workable | 24 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 7 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 6 |
| No overlap at all | 2 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (6)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
Poor match (5)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (15)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with Amano shrimp2 concerns
- with Angelfish2 concerns
- with Bloodfin tetra1 concern
- with Blue acara2 concerns
- with Cherry shrimp2 concerns
- with Convict cichlid2 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid2 concerns
- with Ghost shrimp2 concerns
- with Kribensis2 concerns
- with Molly1 concern
- with Red swamp crayfish2 concerns
- with Sailfin molly1 concern
- with Severum2 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish2 concerns
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Generally compatible (22)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Black ruby barb1 concern
- with Bladder snail1 concern
- with Bolivian ram1 concern
- with Bristlenose pleco1 concern
- with Bronze corydoras1 concern
- with Celestial pearl danio1 concern
- with Chili rasbora1 concern
- with Clown loach1 concern
- with Common pleco1 concern
- with Dwarf gourami1 concern
- with German blue ram2 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami2 concerns
- with Neon tetra1 concern
- with Panda corydoras1 concern
- with Pea puffer1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon2 concerns
- with Pictus catfish1 concern
- with Platy1 concern
- with Pygmy corydoras1 concern
- with Scissortail rasbora1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Swordtail1 concern
Compatible (17)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Cardinal tetrano concerns
- with Cherry barbno concerns
- with Ember tetrano concerns
- with Golden wonder killifishno concerns
- with Guppyno concerns
- with Harlequin rasborano concerns
- with Honey gouramino concerns
- with Indian glassfishno concerns
- with Kuhli loachno concerns
- with Mystery snailno concerns
- with Nerite snailno concerns
- with Otocinclusno concerns
- with Pearl gouramino concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetrano concerns
- with Serpae tetrano concerns
- with Tiger barbno concerns
- with Yoyo loachno concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Generally compatible | 22 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Compatible | 17 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Conditional | 15 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Incompatible | 6 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Poor match | 5 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |