Headstander - Striped Abramite

The abramite headstander is also known as the marbled headstander or high back headstander, and these fish are found only in the wilds of the Colombian Amazon basin. The fish hovers upside down and picks at vegetation, so veggies must be part of the prepared foods. Headstanders are common in small streams and ponds of the Amazon basin but rare in the aquarium trade since they do not travel well. However, abramites are terrific tankmates with personality and very long lives. These are one of the few headstander species that are fine in a school or by themselves.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them plants, driftwood and a tight lid, since they can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or pellet with vegetable content once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They can nip at each other and at long-finned fish. Keep them with robust, fast fish of similar size.

Good to know: Headstanders swim with their heads tilted down as they pick food from rocks, wood and plants.