Edit Anostomus anostomus
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Name
Scientific name
Anostomus anostomus
Described by
Authority Linnaeus, Year 1758, Bracketed
Family
Anostomidae
Common names
Striped Headstander, Striped Anostomus, Prachtkopfsteher
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The striped headstander, Anostomus anostomus, is an anostomid from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Guya…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5.5–7.5
Hardness
1–18dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, Amazon, Carapo, Caura, Cuyuni, Demerara, Essequibo, Mazaruni, Negro, Orinoco, Potaro
Writing
Etymology
Anostomus: from the Greek ano- (Gr. ἀνά-), meaning 'up, upward', and stóma (Gr. στόμα), meaning 'mouth', in reference to the upturned mouthparts possessed by m…
Distribution
Type locality is given simply as 'South America', and this species is widespread throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and…
Habitat
Its typical habitat is along rocky shores of fast-flowing rivers, where it grazes algae and small invertebrates from the rock surfaces.
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.
Maintenance
A biotope-style set-up could consist of a sandy substrate, piles of smooth rocks and driftwood roots and branches, some of which should penetrate the water sur…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
This species is an omnivorous grazer browsing solid surfaces for algae, insect larvae and other small items in nature. In the aquarium it should be offered sma…
Behaviour and compatibility
Although it occurs in large shoals in nature, it tends to be very quarrelsome with conspecifics if only a few individuals are kept. It can be maintained in gro…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature females grow slightly larger and tend to be rounder-bellied than males.
Reproduction
Information is very scarce. It's apparently bred on a commercial basis in both South America and Asia.
Notes
Anostomus currently contains five valid species though only A. anostomus and A. ternetzi are well-known in the aquarium hobby. A phylogentic study by Sidlauska…
References
References
2 on this profile