Can Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) and Upside Down Catfish Live Together?

Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) is a generally mild-mannered species (4/10), while Upside Down Catfish is peaceful (2/10). This modest difference means Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) may occasionally assert dominance over Upside Down Catfish.

Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) and Upside Down Catfish both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion. Aggressive eaters may outcompete shy fish for food, leading to malnutrition.

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

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: 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 26°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 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 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) and Upside Down Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 4000 litres with a minimum length of 300 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: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating. 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.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) and Upside Down Catfish need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) is an aggressive eater that may prevent Upside Down Catfish from getting enough food.

Because Pangasius nasutus (Long-Nosed Pangasius) is a fast, competitive feeder, consider using sinking pellets or feeding at opposite ends of the setup to ensure Upside Down Catfish receives an adequate share.