Annostomus anostomus

[shinypenny]

Anyone have any experience keeping these? I heard that 7" is about as big as they get, and they can be a bit agressive, especially to each other. Seen as they spend a lot of time swimming nose down I was considering them for my 65g (plenty of height) but was a bit worried about the Angels in there currently. Are the Annostomus anostomus fin nippers? Also could a couple co-exist in a 65 or would I be restricted to one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[brcacti]

to me at least that would not be a good combination.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

my LFS has like 40 in a tank with other fish. Im sure you would be fine as they do not seem to do much but sit at a strange angle and respirate

 

[M|L]

I had one, and it doesn't seem to bother my other fishes. i actually kept it with a fly river turtle, and the headstander (not sure if that's the proper common name) will actually clean up the turtle's shell.

 

[ShadowBass]

They should be fine with your angels, especially if you have several. They'll spend more time quarreling with each other than bothering the angels. The only problem is if they do decide to take interest in your angels they will shred the fins.

Oddly enough, though they swim head down, I would try to give them plenty of room lengthwise because they can swim very fast and they will sometimes dart back and forth. 65g seems a bit on the small side but I think it will work for you. They like quite a bit of current, but I have my A. ternetzi in a 29g (with an angelfish in fact), normal filtration and he's fine. They're pretty tough fish.

No, 2 will probably not coexist well. You should generally go with a group of about 5 or more, or with just 1.
With only 2 they will harrass each other on a constant basis.

 

[ShadowBass]

my LFS has like 40 in a tank with other fish. Im sure you would be fine as they do not seem to do much but sit at a strange angle and respirate

They do more, but most at fish stores are stressed. They're very shy and reclusive fish until they get used to you and their surroundings.

 

[shinypenny]

Hi all,

Just for reference, I tried, they completely upset the balance of the tank, were nipping at the angels from the start. I took them back about 5 days later.

Shame, they're some nice looking fish.

 

[Sundew]

Hi all,

Just for reference, I tried, they completely upset the balance of the tank, were nipping at the angels from the start. I took them back about 5 days later.

Shame, they're some nice looking fish.

If you can find them, Anostomus taeniatus (Lisa Fish, Lisa Anostomus) is a much better community fish, they are colored similarly to Siamese Algae Eater, but they get larger. I have three in a community tank and they don't bother anything, but sadly they are seldom available. They also have a more typical fish's mouth and don't need to turn upside down to graze algae. Most of the other available A. can be rather mean and are fin-nippers.