Phantom Headstander

About

Occasionally found in the wild Negro River basin of Brazil, this small but predatory characin, Charax condei, is one of those species that turns up in the hobby almost by accident. Hitchhiking into stores as a contaminant among shipments of more commonly traded fish. If you come across it, it is worth picking up, though you should know what you are getting into. Despite its modest adult size, it is a fish-eater in the wild, which puts any very small tankmates at genuine risk. Pair it with species of comparable size and you will avoid problems. Other mid-sized characins, Corydoras, smaller Loricariids, and peaceful cichlids all tend to work well as companions. Like most characins, it is a shoaling fish at heart, and keeping fewer than six together will leave it visibly unsettled. A group of ten or more is genuinely worth the effort, both for the fish's wellbeing and because a proper shoal is a far more rewarding thing to observe. Breeding in captivity has not been reliably documented, though it is likely feasible using techniques that work for other characins of similar size. Older references sometimes list this species under the name Asiphonichthys condei, so keep that in mind when researching it.