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Spotted Headstander
Chilodus punctatus
Also known as Pearl Headstander
Animalia›Chordata›Characiformes›Chilodontidae
📍 South America
Named for its habit of resting at a 45-degree head-down angle, this unusual fish has a silver body covered in rows of dark spots. Peaceful and interesting to watch, it grazes on biofilm and algae. Best kept in groups in a mature, planted tank.
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore/omnivore – algae wafers, spirulina flake, blanched vegetables, frozen foods
- lifespan
- 5–8 years
- max size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- tank size
- 30 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.