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Aquarium fish Striped Anostomus

Family: Anostomidae.

Distribution: Amazon and Orinoco river systems, rivers ofthe Guyanas.

Description: Shape: along, slightly flat-sided fish with a high-set mouth. Body color: mature fish have three horizontal stripes (brown to brownish black), with a dark greensheen. Size: up to 18cm. Sexual differences: minimal.

Environment: Temperature 24-27 C, pH and water hardness:medium soft, neutral to slightly acid water. Illumination, substrate,furnishings: a large tank with large, sparsely planted vegetation and hiding places provided by stones, pieces of bog wood and flower pots: dark bottom and medium lighting.

Feeding: Omnivorous, feeding on both animal vegetable matter (bryozoans and algae): they will take soft and decaying leaves, also swimming and crawling aquatic invertebrates.

Biology: Behavior: a schooling fish, which spends most of its time “on its head” but streaks away horizontally when disturbed. Reproduction: breeding has been carried out successfully a number of times, but little reliable information is available. Social life andcompatibility: best mixed only with members of its own species: generallypeaceable, but often given to chasing other fishes.