Dot-dash leporinus

Leporinus steyermarki

Also known as Steyermark's leporinus

FreshwaterFish

Dot-dash leporinus (Leporinus steyermarki) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Minimum tank: 119 gal (450 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Upper Orinoco and Ventuari rivers, Venezuela
Family: Anostomidae

Overview

This is a large, strongly built leporinus that needs serious space; it reaches about 30 centimeters and is made for strong water. It is a social species that can be kept alone or in a group of its own kind, but it is boisterous and can nip, so pair it only with similarly robust, fast tankmates and treat smaller or long-finned fish with caution. Give it an open swimming area, smooth hard decor, and no delicate plants, since it grazes and uproots. Feed a mixed omnivore diet of sinking pellets, wafers, vegetables, and meaty frozen foods. Plan on a tank of at least 450 liters with a tight lid, as this fish is strong and jumps.

In the wild

The dot-dash leporinus comes from fast, oxygen-rich headwater reaches of the upper Orinoco system in Venezuela, including the Ventuari. Recreate that with strong flow, a sand and smooth-stone floor, sturdy driftwood, and very clean water. Keep it warm at about 22 to 26 C and from soft and acidic to neutral, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.5, with high oxygen.

Good to know

A member of the family Anostomidae, it is one of the larger aquarium leporinus at around 30 centimeters. Its common name comes from the broken line of dots and dashes running along the flank. It was described in 1956. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Did you know

Sold as a small juvenile, it grows to about 30 centimeters, so a fish that looks like a candidate for a community tank eventually needs a tank measured in hundreds of liters to itself.