TankBud

Six-banded distichodus

Distichodus sexfasciatus

FreshwaterFish

Six-banded distichodus (Distichodus sexfasciatus)
Federigo Federighi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
15.7 in
40 cm
Minimum tank
143 gal
540 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Distichodontidae
Origin
Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The six-banded distichodus is a big, aggressive tank-buster, and a fish for experienced keepers only.

Did you know

The six-banded distichodus for sale is a juvenile in disguise, with bold dark bars and bright orange-red fins. As it grows, those colors fade and its temper sours. Most people are not ready for the spiteful adult that replaces the pretty little fish they bought.

Caring for the six-banded distichodus

Give a six-banded distichodus a very large tank of at least 143 gal (540 L), and more is better. Fit a tight, heavy lid, since it can push a loose cover off.

It needs plenty of open swimming room and a sand or smooth substrate. Strong filtration keeps up with such a big, messy fish. Keep the water on the warm side, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

It devours soft plants, so skip them entirely and stick to hardy attached species like Anubias and Java fern. Feed a varied diet with plenty of vegetable matter, and expect it to graze on anything green you add.

It is aggressive, so keep one on its own. Add only large, robust tank mates that can hold their own. There is no record of it breeding in home tanks.

Good to know

Distichodus sexfasciatus is a characin in the family Distichodontidae. Every fish in the trade is wild caught or farmed on a commercial scale, rather than bred by hobbyists. It is long-lived and grows slowly into its full size, which is why small juveniles get sold so often.

In the wild

Six-banded distichodus come from the Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika. They move through open water over sand and rock.

Common questions

What size tank does a six-banded distichodus need?

A six-banded distichodus needs at least 143 gal (540 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a six-banded distichodus need?

A six-banded distichodus is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a six-banded distichodus eat?

A six-banded distichodus devours soft plants and grazes on anything green. Feed it a varied diet with plenty of vegetable matter.

How big does a six-banded distichodus get?

An adult six-banded distichodus reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).

Related species