Striped Headstander (Anostomus anostomus)

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Anostomus anostomus3453.jpg
Striped Headstander

Anostomus anostomus

170 Litres (45 US G.)

12.7-17.8cm (5-7 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.0 - 8.0

22 -28 °C (71.6-82.4°F)

5-12 °d

1:2 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

3-5 years

Family

Anostomidae



Additional names

Striped Headstander

Additional scientific names

Salmo anostomus, Anostomus salmoneus, Mormyrynchus gronoveii


Sexing

Mature females should be more rounded in the belly than males.


Tank compatibility

Is not a strictly shoaling fish but is best in groups of 6 or more in a large aquarium. Tank mates should be robust, peaceful and short-finned such as Plecos and peaceful robust South American Cichlids as well as similar sized Characins, but not in the genus Anostomus.


Diet

Is primarily herbivorous and should accept prepared pellet and flake food as well as nibble at blanched vegetables and spirulina. Will also eat small meaty foods like brine shrimp. Will also graze on algae.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.


Environment specifics

Needs a laterally spacious tank and prefers a biotope set up with a sand substrate, rounded river rocks and large pieces of driftwood and bogwood. These fish will eat live plants so are not planted tank safe. Appreciates some current.


Behaviour

An active fish that can be aggressive towards conspecifics in not a large enough group or in too small a tank.


Identification

An elongate torpedo-shaped fish. The body is a deep grey in colour with two pale cream-yellow lateral bands running from the nose to the caudal peduncle. The fins are translucent with hints of red in the dorsal and caudal fins.

Pictures

External links