Help ID this Headstander

[quikv6]

Hey all,

This was sold to me as a SAE, and I was confident that it was not.

There is a lack of stripe in the tail, and no little whiskers by the mouth. He is also close to 8 inches.

It has a body and mouth shape much closer to a Leporinus (though hopefully not the same temperament!). Perhaps it's a type of Pencilfish? Anostomus Ternetzi??

Any and all help is appreciated, as my curiosity is getting the best of me. Thanks all!

 

[FJB]

Hi
That is a Laemolyta sp. Headstander.
similar but distinct from Anostomus. I recently got one myself, now 3 months in my tank. Wonderful fish, long lived. Congrats. I have 3 different Anostomids- Laemolyta, Anostomus Anostomus, and Chilodus punctatus. Good luck!

 

[quikv6]

Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it. Can you speak to it's temperament? I'm really hoping it's not a bastard of a nipper like a banded Lep.

Either way... thanks so much for the info!

 

[FJB]

I can’t say much and there ism’t much postes or otherwise that I know. But I think it is a fish that does not come often, and comes as contaminant.

I posted this when I got my fish (… got no responses….) so I went on on enjoying it all by myself.

F

Thread 'New cool acquisition (Laemolyta sp. cf garmani, Anostomidae)'

Jan 31, 2025

So, about a month ago I visited Absolutely Fish in Newark, NJ. I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. Among several very cool fish, and the run of the mill, I spotted a fish they apparently were unaware they had (despite they being very knowledgeable). Unlabeled, single specimen, nobody including manager knew what I was, and did not come listed in their shipment. So, a contaminant. I knew it was an Anostomidae, but also knew it was not an Anostomus. I had to have it, and brought it home.
I proudly introduce it here, as Laemolyta sp. cf L. garmani...

• FJB
• anostomidae anostomus headstander laemolyta
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Other Characins

• 

Mine is 3.5 inches and very gente. Down not Bothropolys anybody. My Anostomus Anostomus is more jerkish and larger, but I know what tanks he can be in. The Laemolyta has been very gentiles but assertive enough to be very cool.

 

[FJB]

I hate autocorrect…..

 

[quikv6]

Thats great info. Thank you. That is a great store you got him from...I go there often. I got this guy at a place very close to there. I am looking forward to tossing him in the main tank, and hope mine behaves tamely, just like yours. (I had a bad experience with a banded Lep before....and was immediately worried when I saw this guy's shape.)

Thanks again.

 

[FJB]

Yes, most Leporinus are way more jerkish than the Laemolyta. The Anostomus can be big jerks and get heftier. But they can be smartly placed in community tanks, but asome try and test is needed. Mine is with 5 adultos silver dollars.
The Laemolyta is smaller, more dainty little fish. But some species get to 9” suposedñy. Mine is with 3 large Hemiodus, 8-10 inches. Very nice gente fish.

 

[quikv6]

Beautiful fish. Thanks for all the info. This one is pushing 8 inches, so I guess he's a pretty large Laemolyta. Pretty cool find, I suppose.

 

[Fishman Dave]

Laemolyta taeniatus -grow to about a foot.
A slightly different varierty than what Francisco mentions he owns and introduces as Laemolyta garmani, a slightly smaller (8-9”) growing variety.
I would suggest that Laemolyta are often overlooked or missed as a group of headstanders.
Headstanders themselves being one of my favourite fish I have never kept any of across the range in 45 years of keeping fish. If I were not reducing my fish house stock down I might be inclined to change that.

 

[quikv6]

Thanks Fishman Dave!.....I tossed him in the main tank today...... so far so good. He is feeling everything out, and no one is bothering him. At first glance, he looks so close to the SAEs i have in there, but completely different behavior. I thought they might try to shoal together, but so far it doesn't seem that way.

Thanks again.