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Chestnut headstander

Pseudanos winterbottomi

Also known as Winterbottom's headstander

FreshwaterFish
Chestnut headstander (Pseudanos winterbottomi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in (15 cm)
Minimum tank
53 gal (200 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Upper Orinoco and Casiquiare drainages, Venezuela
Family
Anostomidae

Overview

The chestnut headstander is peaceful but socially demanding, and it must be kept in a good sized group; keepers report that fewer than about ten begin squabbling among themselves, so aim for a shoal of eight to ten or more. It holds a head-down posture in the middle and lower water, grazing biofilm and aufwuchs from wood and rock. Give it a well planted tank with cover and open grazing surfaces, choose calm tankmates, and treat boisterous or fin-nipping species with caution. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers, and small frozen foods with some vegetable matter. Plan on around 200 liters or more for a group, and keep a tight lid.

In the wild

This species lives in the soft, warm, tea-colored waters of the upper Orinoco and Casiquiare in Venezuela, among submerged wood and roots. Aim for a dim blackwater setup: soft sand, generous driftwood, leaf litter, and gentle current. Keep the water warm at about 22 to 27 C and on the soft, acidic to neutral side, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.5, with good oxygen and stable conditions.

Good to know

A toothed headstander in the family Anostomidae, it grows to about 15 centimeters and takes its warm chestnut color, plainer than the graphic patterns of some relatives, under tannin-stained water. It was only formally described in 2005, one of the more recent additions to the genus Pseudanos. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Did you know

It stayed unnamed by science until 2005, in part because its plain brown coloring is easy to overlook next to the boldly striped and spotted headstanders it swims alongside in the same rivers.

Common questions

What size tank does a Chestnut headstander need?

A Chestnut headstander needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH do Chestnut headstander need?

Chestnut headstander are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

How big do Chestnut headstander get?

An adult Chestnut headstander reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Do Chestnut headstander need a group?

Yes. Chestnut headstander are a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Schooling fish

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