Abramites hypselonotus

Headstander ( Abramites hypselonotus )

The headstander ( Abramites hypselonotus ) is a freshwater fish of the family of Engmaulsalmler ( Anostomidae ), which is widespread in northern and central South America from the basin of the Orinoco, about the Amazon Basin, the Rio Araguaia and Rio Paraguay to the upper Río Paraná.

Features

The headstander is 13 to 14 cm long and has a relatively high-backed body for Engmaulsalmler with about the same curved back and abdominal line. His head is relatively small, the snout pointed. The is variable and can be dark brown to yellow-brown or gray. On the sides of the body to show eight broad, irregular brown to black transverse bands. Base and front portion of the dorsal fin are dark brown, the upper and the rear section are as well as the tail fin and the pelvic fins transparent. The pectoral fins and anal fins are yellow or lehmgelb. The latter has a brown base and is lined with brown. The adipose fin is bright yellow and lined with black at the base and at the upper margin.

Females are paler colored than the males, and built a little stronger in general. Juveniles are more stretched.

Way of life

Headstander feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant material. The reproduction is unknown. In aquariums attitude held adult animals are often quite incompatible with each other.