Marbled headstander

Care at a glance

Overview

Plan for a large tank, at least 265 liters, since this fish gets a fair size and can be territorial with its own kind. It is an omnivore that grazes algae and plant matter, so feed algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and softer plant foods alongside some bloodworms or brine shrimp. It will nip soft aquarium plants. Keep it single or in a larger group, not in twos or threes where one bullies the rest.

In the wild

The marbled headstander lives in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, around submerged roots, branches, and plants where it picks at growth on surfaces. Give it a roomy tank with driftwood, rockwork, and hiding spots, plus open water in the middle for swimming. Soft to neutral water (pH 6 to 7.5) over a wide temperature band, low to high 20s C, keeps it comfortable.

Good to know

Abramites hypselonotus belongs to Anostomidae, the headstanders, and grows to about 14 cm. The deep body and small, downturned mouth go with its head-down feeding posture. Aquarium breeding is essentially unrecorded. It is listed as Least Concern, though habitat pressure from deforestation and pollution is a longer-term concern.

Did you know

It usually hangs at a steep angle with its head pointed down, even when resting, which is where the headstander name comes from. That tilted posture lines its small mouth up with rocks and wood so it can scrape food off surfaces other fish ignore.

Related species

• Gold headstander

  Anostomus ternetzi

  6.3 in (16 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Striped headstander

  Anostomus anostomus

  7.5 in (19 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

• 

  Banded leporinus

  Leporinus fasciatus

  10.6 in (27 cm)40 gal (150 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

• 

  Giant sailfin molly

  Poecilia velifera

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (113 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Guenther's Mouthbrooder

  Chromidotilapia guentheri

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Zebra acara

  Nannacara adoketa

  4.7 in (12 cm)25 gal (95 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)