Can Asian Upside Down Catfish and Marbled Hatchetfish Live Together?

Asian Upside Down Catfish is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Marbled Hatchetfish is peaceful (1/10). This notable difference means Asian Upside Down Catfish may occasionally assert dominance over Marbled Hatchetfish.

Large aggression gap (7 points) between Asian Upside Down Catfish and Marbled Hatchetfish increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Asian Upside Down Catfish prefers the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) zones, whereas Marbled Hatchetfish 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.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species.

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

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both Asian Upside Down Catfish and Marbled Hatchetfish to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations. A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

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 6 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Asian Upside Down Catfish and Marbled Hatchetfish 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.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Floating, Leaf Litter/Blackwater. 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.