Headstander

About

Found in the Orinoco River basin of Venezuela, Synaptolaemus latofasciatus is a freshwater fish in the family Anostomidae. A group colloquially known as headstanders for their tendency to swim at a tilted, nose-down angle. The species carries alternating transverse bands of orange or yellow and dark brown to black that wrap the full length of the body, right down below the lateral line, making it visually distinctive among its relatives. Like other anostomids, it has a moderately elongated, rounded body, but what really sets Synaptolaemus apart from its family members is the structure of its lower jaw teeth, which are roughly twice as long as they are broad, and the way the gill membranes attach broadly to the isthmus. This species has a complicated taxonomic history. Originally placed in Leporinus, it was only formally recognized under its current genus in 2011 after the original holotype was reexamined and matched to an earlier description. In the wild it reportedly breeds in areas with dense aquatic vegetation, which is worth keeping in mind when setting up a tank. Rated as manageable for beginner fishkeepers, it should have plenty of space given its active nature, and a well-planted setup would likely help it feel at home.