Three-spot headstander
Pseudanos trimaculatus
Also known as Three-spotted headstander
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.5 in (19 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 70 gal (265 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Amazon and Orinoco basins
- Family
- Anostomidae
Overview
The three-spot headstander is a peaceful, shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of six or more; single fish become shy and stressed. It holds a tilted, head-down posture in the middle and lower water, browsing biofilm and aufwuchs from wood and rock and aiming its upturned mouth at food on the undersides of branches. It is gentle and easily outcompeted, so keep it with calm tankmates and treat boisterous or nippy species with caution. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers, and small frozen foods with some vegetable matter, and provide plenty of driftwood. It reaches about 19 centimeters, so allow around 265 liters or more for a group, with a tight lid.
In the wild
This widespread headstander lives across the Amazon and Orinoco basins, among submerged branches and root tangles in warm, often tannin-stained water. Recreate that with soft sand, generous driftwood, leaf litter, gentle to moderate flow, and clean water kept warm at about 22 to 27 C and soft and acidic to neutral, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Good to know
A toothed headstander in the family Anostomidae, it reaches about 19 centimeters and carries three clean dark spots along each flank on a silvery, pewter-toned body. Fish from the Amazon tend to show bolder spotting than those from the Orinoco or Essequibo. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.
Did you know
Headstanders are not struggling when they hang nose-down; the oblique, head-first posture points their upturned mouths straight at algae and small foods growing on the undersides of submerged wood.
Common questions
What size tank does a Three-spot headstander need?
A Three-spot headstander needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Three-spot headstander need?
Three-spot headstander are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
How big do Three-spot headstander get?
An adult Three-spot headstander reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).
Do Three-spot headstander need a group?
Yes. Three-spot 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.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Three-spot headstander?
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Related species
Four-spot headstander
Pseudanos variiFreshwater8.3 in (21 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Chestnut headstander
Pseudanos winterbottomiFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Striped headstander
Anostomus anostomusFreshwater7.5 in (19 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Spotted leporinus
Leporinus grantiFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Striped leporinus
Brevidens striatusFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)53 gal (200 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Saddlespot leporinus
Leporinus maculatusFreshwater7.1 in (18 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)