Headstander facts for kids

The Abramites eques, also known as the headstander, picúo, or sardina, is a unique fish. It belongs to the Anostomidae family. This fish comes from South America. Like its cousin, Abramites hypselonotus, it often swims with its head pointing downwards. This special way of swimming helps it find food in its natural home.

Where Does the Headstander Live?

This fish lives in the Magdalena River basin in Colombia. A river basin is the area of land drained by a river and its smaller streams. The picúo usually lives in rivers and streams that have rocks. These waters are often shallow and move very fast.

Caring for a Headstander in an Aquarium

If you want to keep a headstander in an aquarium, be careful with plants. This fish loves to eat plants! Strong plants like Java fern might survive. But delicate plants will likely be eaten.

You should add branches or roots to the tank. These give the fish good places to hide. The water should be soft and a bit acidic. Headstanders can be a bit aggressive. So, only keep them with other fish that can defend themselves.

What Does the Headstander Eat?

The best food for the picúo is a diet full of vegetables. You can feed them algae wafers, pellets, and good quality flake food. They also enjoy eating spinach and peas.

How to Tell Males and Females Apart

It can be tricky to tell male and female headstanders apart. But when they are grown up, female fish tend to look rounder than the males.

See also

In Spanish: Abramites eques para niños