Goldstripe headstander
Anostomus ternetzi
An elegant, streamlined fish adorned with three golden longitudinal bands on a dark background. Like all anostomids, it swims in a vertical head-down position, tirelessly exploring rocks and driftwood for food. A constant grazer, it alternates between browsing algae and periphyton and brief forays into the water column. Native to the Orinoco basin and Guyana, it requires long tanks with current and a tightly fitting lid — it is a formidable jumper.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
14 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 200 L
Groupe minimal
>= 5
GH
1 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 240 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 375 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Central Amazon River, Orinoco basin and southern Brazilian rivers (e.g. Xingu). Prefers areas with thick riparian vegetation or submerged reed beds where the water flows constantly but without violent rapids.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Ternetz's Headstander (Anostomus ternetzi). An Anostomid with a thick "pencil" appearance. Also in this species, the superior mouth pushes the fish to maintain the distinctive crooked posture ("Headstander") to scrape food from surfaces.
Social Behavior: Very similar to its congener (A. anostomus), but known to be slightly less aggressive. Extremely gregarious, a large group (6-8 specimens) lives in a constant state of harmless skirmishes in which the "King" of the school is established.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacular "zebra" livery: golden background broken by wide and evident thick VERTICAL black bands, unlike A. anostomus where they are horizontal. The fins fade slightly to red/orange. There is no apparent dimorphism.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: A swimming-oriented but structured aquarium (120 cm / 48 inches). Many tangled roots pointing upwards or sealed bamboo will help the fish to rest upside down feeling covered. Heavy cover mandatory to avoid fatal jumps.
Diet and Feeding: Predominantly herbivorous scraper, does not ignore protein invertebrates. Tender plants will be reduced to "skeletons" (Anubias resist). Must be supported with crushed peas, pure algae pellets and occasional bloodworms.
Water Quality: Pure Amazonian fish: the water should be soft and slightly acidic, but shows great adaptability if the changes are slow. Requires abundant oxygenation produced by a vigorous spray bar on the surface.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect for the so-called "Placid Monster Aquariums". Pairs well with Panaque, large Metynnis (Silver Dollars), Geophagus and Leporinus. In small tanks or in small numbers it turns into a fin-tearer towards slow Tetras.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawns in captivity are not well documented at the hobby level. It is assumed they spawn en masse at dawn, scattering tiny eggs in the thick foliage after complex chases.
Risks and Diseases: Since it feeds by "spitting and re-chewing" the mush from the bottom, the ingestion of sharp-edged gravel causes internal lacerations that are often lethal. Fine sand is mandatory.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Central Amazon River, Orinoco basin and southern Brazilian rivers (e.g. Xingu). Prefers areas with thick riparian vegetation or submerged reed beds where the water flows constantly but without violent rapids.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Territorial
- Anostomus ternetzi is generally peaceful but can exhibit territorial behavior, particularly towards conspecifics. To minimize squabbling and aggression, they should be kept in a group where a natural hierarchy can establish. They are active and sometimes boisterous, which may intimidate very shy or slow-moving tankmates.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- As omnivores with a strong herbivorous preference, their diet must include plenty of vegetable matter. They should be fed high-quality algae wafers, spirulina flakes, blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini, and occasional live or frozen foods. Be aware that they are likely to graze on and damage soft-leaved live aquarium plants.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-8 years
- Taille adulte
- 14 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Group
- A strict sex ratio is difficult to define because males and females are not easily distinguished visually. However, they should be kept in a group of at least 5 to 8 individuals to distribute and reduce territorial aggression. Keeping them singly or in pairs often leads to heightened stress and aggression toward tankmates.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Continuous
- It is recommended to feed Anostomus ternetzi small portions two to three times a day. Providing multiple small feedings aligns with their natural behavior of grazing continuously throughout the day. Ensure that all food is consumed within a few minutes to prevent water contamination.
- Charge biologique
- Medium
- Anostomus ternetzi produces a moderate biological load due to its active lifestyle, size (up to 12 cm), and continuous grazing behavior. A robust filtration system, capable of turnover rates 4-5 times the tank volume per hour, is essential to keep water quality pristine. Regular partial water changes are required to control nitrate levels and maintain a clean environment.
- Courant
- Strong
- Originating from fast-flowing river habitats, Anostomus ternetzi prefers moderate to strong water flow. Good water movement and high oxygenation levels are crucial for replicating their natural environment and keeping them active. The use of powerheads or spray bars can help achieve the desired current in the aquarium.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- This species poses a high risk of jumping, especially when startled, stressed, or during acclimation. They are powerful, torpedo-shaped swimmers capable of leaping through very small openings. A tight-fitting lid or cover slides are mandatory to prevent accidental escapes.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Anostomus ternetzi in the home aquarium is extremely difficult and remains largely unrecorded. They are egg-scatterers, but the specific environmental triggers required to stimulate spawning in captivity are not well understood. Successful reproduction has rarely, if ever, been documented in domestic aquaria.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- They are suitable for community tanks with robust, peaceful tankmates of similar size, such as medium-sized tetras, loricaiids, and peaceful cichlids. They should not be housed with very small or slow, long-finned fish, as they may nip fins when stressed. Keeping them in a proper conspecific group is key to preventing them from bothering other species.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- Anostomus ternetzi is highly active and swims throughout the aquarium, though it primarily occupies the middle and upper levels. It is famous for its unique head-down swimming angle, which it uses while hovering or searching for food. They will frequently explore the bottom or graze on decorations, utilizing the entire water column.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,6 ± 0,26 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5312
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00891, b = 3.05
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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