HEADSTANDERS are a loosely related group of South American ‘characins’, in two families (ANOSTOMIDAE and CHILODONTIDAE). Their name comes from the habit of frequently standing in near vertical position, and performing antics while feeding (sometimes upside down), hiding, or otherwise just chilling with their head generally pointing down. Among the Anostomidae, Anostomus (2 spp.), and Abramites (1 sp.) are often seen; among the Chilodontidae, only one species of Chilodus is seen with any frequency.
Anostomids are shoaling fish occurring in groups. In aquaria they usually don’t share well with others of their kin, and may kill conspecifics unless in large groups and in large tanks. This unfortunately is hard to offer in most home aquaria. Although very interesting fish, they are often regarded as big time JERKS, who can annoy others (larger or smaller), by picking on, biting or just harassing others with their inquisitiveness.
Below some pictures of the Stripped Headstander, Anostomus anostomus. I love this species and I purchased 3, lost one, and then gave one away, some 3 years ago. With the single fish left, I have taken on the challenge of finding aquarium fish he cannot harass too much. For the last few months he is in a 75gal with a group of bosemanni rainbows, born and growing-out in that tank. Being so many (38 fish) each at ~2 inches, all fast and ever moving, this has the jerk completely neutralized, and this became an excellent arrangement where everybody is thriving. Of course, I have to thin out the rainbows as they are getting big. Anybody local and interested in getting some rainbows?
You have any headstanders? Have you been challenged by them or have developed means of keeping them successfully? Would you show your fish here?
PHOTOS- various shots of single fish at various times; with the rainbows.
Anostomids are shoaling fish occurring in groups. In aquaria they usually don’t share well with others of their kin, and may kill conspecifics unless in large groups and in large tanks. This unfortunately is hard to offer in most home aquaria. Although very interesting fish, they are often regarded as big time JERKS, who can annoy others (larger or smaller), by picking on, biting or just harassing others with their inquisitiveness.
Below some pictures of the Stripped Headstander, Anostomus anostomus. I love this species and I purchased 3, lost one, and then gave one away, some 3 years ago. With the single fish left, I have taken on the challenge of finding aquarium fish he cannot harass too much. For the last few months he is in a 75gal with a group of bosemanni rainbows, born and growing-out in that tank. Being so many (38 fish) each at ~2 inches, all fast and ever moving, this has the jerk completely neutralized, and this became an excellent arrangement where everybody is thriving. Of course, I have to thin out the rainbows as they are getting big. Anybody local and interested in getting some rainbows?
You have any headstanders? Have you been challenged by them or have developed means of keeping them successfully? Would you show your fish here?
PHOTOS- various shots of single fish at various times; with the rainbows.
