TankBud

Striped headstander

Anostomus anostomus

FreshwaterFish

Striped headstander (Anostomus anostomus)
Brian Gratwicke · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.5 in
19 cm
Minimum tank
70 gal
265 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Anostomidae
Origin
Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana

Overview

The striped headstander is a grazer that swims in the middle of a roomy tank with good flow. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The striped headstander feeds in the head-down posture that gives its group its name. It angles nose-first to pick algae and tiny invertebrates off rocks and wood that level-swimming fish cannot easily reach. That feeding angle is not a quirk, because the fish naturally holds it for most of the day.

Caring for the striped headstander

Give striped headstanders a roomy tank of at least 70 gal (265 L), with smooth rocks, driftwood and good current from the filter. Plants help too, but pick tough ones they will not shred.

Keep the water soft to neutral, at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They graze constantly, so feed plenty of vegetable matter such as spirulina, blanched zucchini and spinach. Add a little protein now and then.

Striped headstanders are mostly peaceful but can squabble among themselves. Keep a group of at least six to spread out the aggression, and never keep them as a pair. Choose tank mates of similar size that are not slow or timid. There are no reliable records of them breeding in home aquariums.

Good to know

The striped headstander belongs to the family Anostomidae, the headstanders. Bold horizontal stripes break up its outline against rocks and roots.

In the wild

The striped headstander lives in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams across the Amazon and Orinoco systems. Its range runs from Peru and Brazil to Venezuela and Guyana. It sticks close to rocks and submerged wood, grazing the surfaces for food.

Common questions

What size tank does a striped headstander need?

A striped headstander needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a striped headstander need?

A striped headstander is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a striped headstander eat?

A striped headstander grazes constantly and needs plenty of vegetable matter, such as spirulina, blanched zucchini and spinach. Give it a little protein now and then.

How big does a striped headstander get?

An adult striped headstander reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).

Does a striped headstander need a group?

Yes. A striped headstander is a shoaling species; keep at least 6 together.

Related species