Banded leporinus

Care at a glance

Overview

These are active, mostly peaceful fish that can get nippy and territorial as they age, especially in cramped quarters, so give them space and robust tankmates. They cruise the middle of the tank and are omnivores leaning toward plants. Keep the water at 20 to 28 C and pH 6 to 7.5. Feed vegetable foods like blanched spinach and peas plus quality pellets, with the occasional meaty treat. They will eat soft aquarium plants.

In the wild

Banded leporinus come from fast-flowing rivers and streams in South America, including the Amazon and Orinoco basins, where they hang around submerged roots, fallen branches, and sunken wood. Give them a long tank with driftwood and open swimming room and some current. They get large, so a 150 liter tank is a realistic starting point, and bigger is better.

Good to know

This fish belongs to the family Anostomidae, the headstanders. It is marked with bold black and yellow vertical bands and grows to around 27 cm. It is widespread and listed as Least Concern, though local habitat loss and pollution can hit some populations.

Did you know

They are strong jumpers. In the wild they leap over obstacles and out of the path of predators, and in a tank an uncovered top is an open door, so a tight-fitting lid is not optional.

Related species

• 

  Striped headstander

  Anostomus anostomus

  7.5 in (19 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
• Gold headstander

  Anostomus ternetzi

  6.3 in (16 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Marbled headstander

  Abramites hypselonotus

  5.5 in (14 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)

• 

  Kaligono

  Nimbochromis polystigma

  10.2 in (26 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Kissing gourami

  Helostoma temminckii

  9.8 in (25 cm)36 gal (135 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)

• 

  Pinstripe damba cichlid

  Paretroplus menarambo

  9.8 in (25 cm)95 gal (360 L)79–84°F (26–29°C)