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HeadstanderFamily: Anostomidae Anostomus ternetziLatest Reader Comment - See More Mine has a red tail is this the same fish??
Also ive heard that these fish can eat the scales of other fish is this true mark The Anostomidae is a fairly small family of Characins, but a family with fairly large fishes!Headstander Contents 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 fish, 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 fish 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: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
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.
- Scientific Name: Anostomus ternetzi
- Social Grouping: Solitary - Can be kept in pairs or small groups.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
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.
- Maximum Size: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
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.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
They are somewhat less demanding than the the Striped Headstander Anostomus anostomus. They like some planted areas and a darker gravel.
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 gal (95 L)
- Substrate Type: Small Gravel - This fish appreciates a darker colored small gravel or sand.
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 75.0 - 82.0° F (23.9 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 5.8-7.5
- Hardness Range: 5 - 20 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All
The Headstander Anostomus ternetzi are ideal for a community aquarium with other peaceful fish.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Monitor - Some headstander species will eat soft plants.
Unknown.
- Ease of Propagation: Difficult - Breeding has occurred in captivity but it is very rare and there is as of yet no developed method proven effective.
The Headstander is available from time to time.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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