Can Asian Upside Down Catfish and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) Live Together?

Asian Upside Down Catfish is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Banded Archerfish (Brackish) is moderately assertive (6/10). This modest difference means Asian Upside Down Catfish may occasionally assert dominance over Banded Archerfish (Brackish).

In terms of spatial distribution, Asian Upside Down Catfish prefers the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) zones, whereas Banded Archerfish (Brackish) occupies the Top (Surface) zone. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

Worth noting: Asian Upside Down Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Banded Archerfish (Brackish) is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 27°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 15–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Crucially, these species require different water types — one needs freshwater while the other requires brackish conditions. This is a hard barrier to keeping them together.

To house Asian Upside Down Catfish and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 380 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Asian Upside Down Catfish and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.