Spotted headstander (Chilodus punctatus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Pearl headstander, Checkered headstander
Family
Chilodidae (headstanders)
Origin
Amazon basin in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, the western Orinoco in Colombia, and coastal rivers of Guyana and Suriname.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
8 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 1–10 dGH
Minimum tank
81 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A shy, attractive little headstander with silvery-green, finely spotted scales and a dark stripe running from the snout through the eye to the tail. Like its relatives it swims head-down at an angle, and it spends much of its time in shade, coming out to feed. It can be kept singly or in a group. There is some squabbling within a group, but fish are rarely damaged as long as there is enough cover to break up sight lines. A tank with a base of at least 90 × 30 cm (around 81 litres) is a sensible minimum. Give it a well-planted tank with driftwood, roots, leaf litter and floating plants to dim the light. It prefers soft, acidic to about neutral water (pH 5–7.5, 1–10 dGH) at 20–28 °C, kept clean with regular water changes. It does not like boisterous or fast-moving tankmates, which make it hide and stop feeding properly. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/chilodus-punctatus/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Chilodus-punctatus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiloduspunctatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore; wild fish eat insects and their larvae, fallen fruit and even fish scales. Give quality sinking dried foods with live or frozen Daphnia, Artemia and bloodworm, plus vegetables such as blanched spinach, lettuce, cucumber and soft fruit.

Breeding

Breeding in aquariums has apparently happened but is poorly documented. It is thought to be an egg-scatterer that gives no parental care and spawns at the start of the rainy season, so soft, acidic water and plenty of fine-leaved plants would be a sensible starting point.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful. Good with tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, smaller loricariid catfish and peaceful cichlids. Avoid boisterous, fast-moving or aggressive fish.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].