It might be alarming to see a catfish upside down, but it's normal, even though scientists aren't sure how they do it. Researchers studied their bodies but didn't find anything out of the ordinary. The swim bladder and balancing organ of the ear are the same as that of other catfish species. Still, K Ohnishi et. al. performed studies that suggest "Synodontis nigriventris has a high ability to keep upside-down posture and the gravity sensation in this catfish is likely to contribute to its different postural control from that of many other fishes." Their body mechanisms remain a mystery. But, it's no secret that the upside-down positioning is advantageous. Lauren Chapman is a biology professor at McGill University. She says, "The upside-down catfish seems to have a whole suite of adaptations that make life at the surface more tenable." They Swim Faster Upside-Down The upside-down cat can swim right-side up, but they swim faster upside-down. Robert Blake was a biology professor at the University of British Columbia. He found that deeper underwater, swimming upside-down didn't offer any advantages. But, near the surface, swimming upside-down produces less drag, making swimming easier. They Use Barbels To Navigate Mun Sing Photo Workshop They have sensory organs called barbels to help them navigate murky waters. Their three sets of barbels accompany two large eyes, a forked tail, and a large adipose fin. Their Fins & Color Offer Protection Their pectoral fins have ridges of sharp spines that protect them from predators. If something tries to eat them, the catfish becomes lodged in their mouth. Their bodies are light brown with darker brown splotches. But, the underside of their body is darker than the top of their body. In most fish, the top of the body is darker to keep them camouflaged at the surface. For the same reason, the underside of the upside-down catfish's body is darker. Common Names: Upside-down catfish, blotched upside-down catfish Scientific Name: Synodontis nigriventris Origin: Central Africa from Kinshasa to Basonga Upside-Down Catfish Size (Length): 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) Aquarium Size: 30+ gallons Temperament: Peaceful Ease of Care: Easy