Banded Leporinus

 

fish description – Banded Leporinus Care Guide ($Leporinus\ fasciatus$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Leporinus\ fasciatus$
Common Name	Banded Leporinus, Black-Banded Leporinus, Striped Leporinus
Origin	Amazon and Orinoco River Basins (South America)
Adult Size	10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
Temperament	Semi-aggressive, territorial, boisterous, extremely aggressive to its own kind in small groups
Lifespan	5–10 years
Care Level	Advanced (due to size, aggression, and strict plant diet)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A muscular, torpedo-shaped fish with a thick body and a small, fleshy mouth. Its body is a bright yellow/gold overlaid with 8–12 bold black vertical bands that are initially few in number and split as the fish matures.
• Coloration: Distinctive yellow/gold and black bands. Juveniles start with 5 bands, which multiply to 10 or more in adults. Sexing is difficult; females are generally slightly larger and have fuller bellies than males.
• Fins: Proportional, often translucent. The mouth is slightly inferior (downturned).
• Behavior: Extremely active, always swimming, and a very powerful jumper. They are prone to inter-species aggression, especially when housed in small groups (2–5 individuals). They are active diggers and will consume most live plants.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons (475 liters) or larger is the minimum for a single adult. A tank length of 6 feet or more is necessary to allow for proper swimming runs. A secure, heavy lid is absolutely mandatory to prevent jumping.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a large group of 8–10 individuals (introduced simultaneously) to spread out internal aggression.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideally $75^\circ$–$79^\circ\text{F}$).
• pH Level: Soft, neutral to slightly acidic water: 5.5 to 7.5. They require powerful filtration and a high level of oxygenation with strong water flow, mimicking their riverine habitat.
• Aquascape: Requires vast open swimming space in the center. Substrate should be sand or fine, smooth gravel (they dig). Avoid soft-leaved live plants as they will be devoured; use only robust, tough plants (Anubias, Java Fern attached to decor). Secure all rockwork, as they can destabilize it with their digging.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Banded Leporinus is an omnivore/herbivore with a large appetite and a need for roughage.

• Staple Diet: The diet must be heavily plant-based and varied. Offer high-quality sinking algae wafers, spirulina pellets, and vegetable flakes.
• Supplementation: Must receive frequent feedings of blanched fresh vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, peas, spinach, lettuce). They will also consume meaty foods sparingly (bloodworms, krill).
• Schedule: Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Their high energy level requires continuous feeding, which can lead to rapid fouling of water.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Extremely aggressive to its own kind in small numbers and should be considered non-community due to its potential to eat small fish and jump out of tanks. They will destroy live plants.
• Good Tank Mates: Large, robust, fast-moving, and boisterous species that can handle aggressive feeding and high water flow. Examples include large Cichlids (e.g., Severums, Geophagus, Oscar), large Catfish (Plecos, Synodontis), and Tinfoil Barbs.

meta description – Banded Leporinus ($L.$ fasciatus) care guide: Large, herbivorous fish (up to 12 inches). Needs 125+ gallon tank (long), very secure lid, strong current, a high-vegetable diet, and is aggressive toward its own kind.

fish description – Banded Leporinus Care Guide ($Leporinus\ fasciatus$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Leporinus\ fasciatus$
Common Name	Banded Leporinus, Black-Banded Leporinus, Striped Leporinus
Origin	Amazon and Orinoco River Basins (South America)
Adult Size	10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
Temperament	Semi-aggressive, territorial, boisterous, extremely aggressive to its own kind in small groups
Lifespan	5–10 years
Care Level	Advanced (due to size, aggression, and strict plant diet)

Export to Sheets

---

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A muscular, torpedo-shaped fish with a thick body and a small, fleshy mouth. Its body is a bright yellow/gold overlaid with 8–12 bold black vertical bands that are initially few in number and split as the fish matures.
• Coloration: Distinctive yellow/gold and black bands. Juveniles start with 5 bands, which multiply to 10 or more in adults. Sexing is difficult; females are generally slightly larger and have fuller bellies than males.
• Fins: Proportional, often translucent. The mouth is slightly inferior (downturned).
• Behavior: Extremely active, always swimming, and a very powerful jumper. They are prone to inter-species aggression, especially when housed in small groups (2–5 individuals). They are active diggers and will consume most live plants.

---

 

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons (475 liters) or larger is the minimum for a single adult. A tank length of 6 feet or more is necessary to allow for proper swimming runs. A secure, heavy lid is absolutely mandatory to prevent jumping.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a large group of 8–10 individuals (introduced simultaneously) to spread out internal aggression.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideally $75^\circ$–$79^\circ\text{F}$).
• pH Level: Soft, neutral to slightly acidic water: 5.5 to 7.5. They require powerful filtration and a high level of oxygenation with strong water flow, mimicking their riverine habitat.
• Aquascape: Requires vast open swimming space in the center. Substrate should be sand or fine, smooth gravel (they dig). Avoid soft-leaved live plants as they will be devoured; use only robust, tough plants (Anubias, Java Fern attached to decor). Secure all rockwork, as they can destabilize it with their digging.

---

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Banded Leporinus is an omnivore/herbivore with a large appetite and a need for roughage.

• Staple Diet: The diet must be heavily plant-based and varied. Offer high-quality sinking algae wafers, spirulina pellets, and vegetable flakes.
• Supplementation: Must receive frequent feedings of blanched fresh vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, peas, spinach, lettuce). They will also consume meaty foods sparingly (bloodworms, krill).
• Schedule: Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Their high energy level requires continuous feeding, which can lead to rapid fouling of water.

---

 

Compatibility

 

• Caution: Extremely aggressive to its own kind in small numbers and should be considered non-community due to its potential to eat small fish and jump out of tanks. They will destroy live plants.
• Good Tank Mates: Large, robust, fast-moving, and boisterous species that can handle aggressive feeding and high water flow. Examples include large Cichlids (e.g., Severums, Geophagus, Oscar), large Catfish (Plecos, Synodontis), and Tinfoil Barbs.