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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
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Anostomidae
Origin
Upper Orinoco and Ventuari rivers, Venezuela

Overview

The dot-dash leporinus is a large, strongly built fish that needs serious space and strong water. It is best for keepers with some experience and room for a very big tank.

Did you know

The dot-dash leporinus is sold as a small juvenile that looks like a candidate for a community tank. In time it needs a tank measured in hundreds of liters to itself.

Caring for the dot-dash leporinus

Plan on a tank of at least 119 gal (450 L) for a dot-dash leporinus, with a tight lid, since this strong fish jumps. Leave an open swimming area over a floor of sand and smooth stones, with sturdy driftwood and smooth, hard decor. Skip delicate plants, because it grazes and uproots them.

Give it strong flow and very clean water with plenty of oxygen. Keep it at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), soft and acidic to neutral, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Feed a mixed omnivore diet of sinking pellets, wafers, vegetables and meaty frozen foods.

The dot-dash leporinus does fine alone or in a group of its own kind. It is boisterous and can nip, so pair it only with similarly robust, fast tank mates. Treat smaller or long-finned fish with caution. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Good to know

The dot-dash leporinus belongs to the family Anostomidae and is one of the larger leporinus kept in aquariums. Its common name comes from the broken line of dots and dashes along its flank. It was described in 1956 and is also called Steyermark's leporinus.

In the wild

The dot-dash leporinus comes from fast, oxygen-rich headwater reaches of the upper Orinoco system in Venezuela, including the Ventuari.

Common questions

What size tank does a dot-dash leporinus need?

A dot-dash leporinus needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a dot-dash leporinus need?

A dot-dash leporinus is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

What does a dot-dash leporinus eat?

A dot-dash leporinus is an omnivore. Feed it a mixed diet of sinking pellets, wafers, vegetables and meaty frozen foods. It also grazes on delicate plants.

How big does a dot-dash leporinus get?

An adult dot-dash leporinus reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species