Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Checkered Headstander, also referred to as the Spotted Headstander, is a type of tetra found widely throughout the Amazon region in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, in addition to coastal river systems of Guyana and Suriname in South America. With this large geographic distribution, color and patterning of Checkered headstanders can vary due to the type locality where they were collected. Checkered headstanders are extremely charming fish, following suit of their name in that they posture nose down as if they are doing a headstand. They are somewhat torpedo-shaped with many small dark spots across the body and dorsal fin, and a bold horizontal line through the middle of the body. The color of Checkered headstanders can be silvery-beige to yellow. Checkered headstanders can be quite shy and skittish, thus requiring at least a trio of individuals and careful selection of harmonious tank mates for the best success. An adult Checkered headstander can grow to approximately 3″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild the Checkered headstanders are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable and protein based flake foods and sinking pellet foods are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp that contains spirulina algae and other mixed freshwater preparations. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A very established, minimum 30 to 40 gallon aquarium is needed for a trio of Checkered headstanders. This fish can not be put into a biologically immature aquarium. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm) as Checkered headstanders do not like high nitrates and deteriorating water parameters. Checkered headstanders require gentle water flow and soft water. Driftwood or branches, live plants (particularly floating types) and a sandy or fine substrate are components for the ideal environment of a Checkered headstander. Given their extremely timid nature, tank mates need to be selected carefully as to not cause unnecessary stress to your Checkered headstanders. Only fish that are peaceful should be considered. Additionally any overly active fish, even if it is peaceful, should also be avoided. Compatible options include a handful of tetra, rasbora, and cory catfish for example. Recommended water conditions, 76-82° F, KH 8-10, pH 5.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.