There are four species of the small headstanders of the genus Chilodus. Only two of them appear in the hobby. According to reports the Spotted Headstander (Chilodus punctatus) is the most common species in the hobby. But, in fact, it is not. The species found most is Chilodus gracilis which can be distinguished from C. punctatus at first sight by the presence of a black longitudinal band along the body. In C. punctatus such a band appears only when the fish are fighting or displaying. Chilodus gracilis, the Elongate Headstander, is available as well as wild collected (from Colombia and Venezuela) and as captive bred (from Indonesia, where it is always called C. punctatus). Both species reach 8-10 cm in length and should be kept in schools, as otherwise they become quarrelsome. Plants are usually eaten by the fish.
Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
