Striped headstander (Anostomus anostomus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Striped anostomus, Prachtkopfsteher
Family
Anostomidae (headstanders)
Origin
Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, usually in fast, clear water among rocks.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to hard, 1–18 dGH
Minimum tank
108 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

The striped headstander is a handsome, long-bodied characin with bold black and gold stripes and reddish fins, which swims in the typical head-down posture. It grows to around 20 cm, so it is not a fish for a small community tank. It can be quarrelsome with its own kind. In most home aquariums the best plan is to keep a single fish in a community of peaceful medium to large species; a group of six or more can work in a big tank, where the squabbling is spread out. A tank with a base of at least 120 × 30 cm (around 108 litres) is the minimum for one fish. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as headstanders are excellent jumpers. Use rocks, smooth pebbles and driftwood to recreate a rocky river bed, with good water movement and plenty of oxygen; algae-covered surfaces give the fish something to graze. Hardy plants are fine, though soft-leaved plants may be nibbled. It copes with a wide range of water, from soft to fairly hard (1–18 dGH), pH 5.5–7.5 and 20–28 °C, but needs clean, well-filtered water with regular changes. It is distinguished from the similar Anostomus ternetzi by the red colouring in its fins. Fish in the trade are farmed in South America and Asia as well as wild-caught. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/anostomus-anostomus/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Anostomus-anostomus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anostomusanostomus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous grazer that picks algae, insect larvae and other small items off rocks and wood in the wild. Offer a mix of small live and frozen foods with good dried foods, plus blanched vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and cucumber.

Breeding

Little is known about breeding in aquariums. It is bred commercially in South America and Asia, but details of how it spawns have not been published.

Compatibility and tank mates

Keep with robust, peaceful medium to large fish such as larger characins, loricariid and doradid catfish, and peaceful cichlids. Avoid small, slow or long-finned fish, which may be nipped, and avoid keeping two or three of its own kind in a small tank.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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