Abramites hypselonotus

About This Species

Basic Description

The Marbled Headstander, also known as the Striped Headstander, is a distinctive South American fish famous for its unique habit of swimming with its head pointing downwards. As an omnivore, it enjoys a varied diet that includes plant matter and helps with algae control. This moderately active fish lives for many years and should be kept in schools to feel secure.

Detailed Description

An engaging species for hobbyists, the Marbled Headstander requires specific care. Its head-down posture is for browsing for food in the middle and bottom zones of the tank. While they are schooling fish, they are also territorial and establish a pecking order, so a spacious setup with hiding places is crucial to diffuse aggression. As omnivores predisposed to eating vegetation, they are a great natural algae cleaner but will damage aquarium plants if not supplied with enough vegetable-based foods like wafers, pellets, and blanched greens. Captive breeding is very challenging, making them a long-term commitment for dedicated aquarists.

Scientific Description

*Abramites hypselonotus* is a freshwater species from the Anostomidae family, indigenous to South American river systems with moderate water flow. It is classified as an omnivore, primarily engaging in herbivory by consuming plants and algae. Behaviorally, it is characterized as a moderately active, territorial species that exhibits schooling tendencies. The species' physiology includes a medium metabolism rate and oxygen consumption, contributing to a medium waste output and a bioload factor of 6.0. It occupies the middle and bottom swimming zones. Successful reproduction in captivity presents considerable difficulty.