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Headstander

Family: Anostomidae

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Anostomus ternetzi

   The Anostomidae is a fairly small family of Characins, but a family with fairly large fishes!

   The "Headstander", it is so called because it often rests almost vertically at about a 45 degree incline, with its' head down, in rocky fissures of fast flowing streams. These areas of the stream, though shallow with strong currents, have lots of algae for these fish to eat!

   The Headstander Anostomus ternetzi is a very peaceful community fish with it's own species as well as other community tankmates. It is an active fish and does attain a good size, reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm), so should be kept in a large aquarium. Though generally calm, like all headstanders, it is sensitive to shadows and it likes to jump, so be sure to keep the aquarium covered. These fish prefer some planted areas and a darker gravel.

   Though the Headstander Anostomus ternetzi is not quite as remarkable in color when compared to its more striking relative, the Striped Headstander Anostomus anostomus, it is also less sensitive to aquarium conditions and less territorial.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Headstander was described by Fernández-Yépez in 1949. They are found in South America in Brazil in the Amazon River basins of Orinoco, Rio Araguaia, and Rio Xingo; and in the coastal rivers of Guianas.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Headstander is an elongated fish with a pike type body. It has a dark brown to black body with two broad white to redish stripes running the entire length of the body from the snout to the caudal penduncle. Its fins are transparent, sometimes with a light brown cast.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 6.0 inches (15 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous these fish will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday and a good spirulina formula fish food or algae wafer. They will also enjoy other vegetable matter such as chickweed, watercress, crushed lettuce leaves and spinach leaves and may nibble on the aquarium plants soft shoots and leaves. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   They are somewhat less demanding than the the Striped Headstander Anostomus anostomus. They like some planted areas and a darker gravel.
   Hardness: 5-20° dGH
   Ph: 5.8 to 7.5
   Temp: 75-82° F (24-28° C)

Social Behaviors:
   The Headstander Anostomus ternetzi are ideal for a community aquarium with other peaceful fish.

Sexual Differences:
   Unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Breeding the Headstander Anostomus ternetzi has been accomplished in captivity but no data is available. You can see the description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Headstander is available from time to time.

Author: David Brough, CFS

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Some of the coolest comments:
My headstander lived to be 22 years old, I had no idea they would live that long! Anonymous 2008-02-25
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My fish is 10 and with help of this website I hope it can live to be 20. joe 2008-03-26

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