Care
The Threespot headstander is found in deeper habitats amongst waterlogged wood and rocks. Their upturned mouths enable them to graze the biofilm on the underside of branches but in the aquarium they're often seen feeding upside-down.
These fish attain a moderate size and require a spacious aquarium. The aquarium should be mature and aquascaped with a sand or small-grained, smooth gravel substrate, plenty of sturdy pieces of driftwood and an open swimming space along the front of the tank. Plants are not necessary, but will make the aquarium more aesthetically pleasing; however, as these fish will devour plants, it is essential to choose robust species such as Anubias spp. and Java Fern (Microsorum) that can be tied onto the decor. Of greater importance is the use of powerful filtration (ideally provided by external canisters) and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by spray-bar returns situated above the water line and/or additional powerheads. High water quality is essential for this species, so partial water changes should be carried out on a very regular basis in order to keep nitrogenous waste to a minimum. Sturdy, tight fitting coverslides are requisite, as these fish are accomplished jumpers. Like many barbs, headstanders can be rather quarrelsome when maintained in small numbers in aquaria and should be kept in groups of 5 or more. Tankmates could include medium-large sized peaceful cichlids such as eartheaters, medium-sized characins, talking catfish (doradids) and suckermouth catfish (loricariids). This species is considerably more peaceful than many of its relatives and can even be kept alongside Discus and Angelfish providing that adequate numbers are housed in a suitably large aquarium.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Offer a variety of dried (flake, green flake, pellets etc) and frozen foods including white mosquito larvae, bloodworm (sparingly), vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc, plus some greenfoods.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
