Marbled Headstander

Looks how to spot one

High-backed, scaled characin

A deep-bodied fish with a strongly arched back and a small head. It is marked with about eight dark vertical bands over a lighter base, giving a marbled look that varies from fish to fish. A keel runs along the belly behind the pelvic fins. Adult females are deeper-bodied than males.1

Personality what they are like

A lively fish that suits a large tank with robust cichlids, characins and catfish. It can nip fins, so slow fish with long fins are not ideal companions.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active fish that swims head-down while picking food from the bottom, and needs plenty of room to move.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Suggested ranges: about 20-30 C (FishBase gives 23-27 C), pH 5.5-7.5 (FishBase gives 6.0-7.5), hardness 1-15 dGH. Keep filtration strong and water clean.12

Home where they are happiest

Tank of at least 120 cm length (about 108 litres for one fish, larger for a group) with wood and rocks; it will eat soft-leaved plants, so choose tough plants or none.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore that eats worms, small crustaceans, insects and plant matter. Feed quality dried foods, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and plenty of vegetable matter such as spirulina-based foods.12

Company who they like around

Does best as a group in a large tank.1

The story where it all began

Named by Albert Guenther in 1868, it lives in muddy main channels, side streams and backwaters that flood each season. Its genus contains only two species and is set apart by the keel on its belly.12

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed April 2020)2

FishBase

Described by Guenther in 18682