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Six-line leporinus

Leporinus sexstriatus

Also known as Leporinus sextriatus, Six-striped leporinus

FreshwaterFish

Six-line leporinus (Leporinus sexstriatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 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
Tapajós basin, Brazil

Overview

The six-line leporinus is a true dwarf in a genus of large fish. It is one of the few leporinus that fits an ordinary community tank, and it is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The six-line leporinus is often sold as Leporinus sextriatus, with one letter dropped. The correct spelling is sexstriatus, meaning six-striped, and the fish keeps all six of its lines either way.

Caring for the six-line leporinus

A six-line leporinus needs a tank of 40 gal (150 L) or more, with a tight lid, since even small leporinus jump. Give it a fine sandy floor, driftwood and smooth stones. It grazes, so go easy on soft plants.

Keep the water warm at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), soft and acidic to neutral, at a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Provide moderate, well-oxygenated flow. Feed a varied omnivore diet of small sinking pellets, algae wafers, vegetables and frozen foods.

It works the lower and middle water, picking at wood, stone and sand. It does fine singly or in a small group. Even at this size it may nip, so keep it with similarly brisk tank mates. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Good to know

The six-line leporinus belongs to the family Anostomidae and was described in 1980. Dark lines run the length of its gold body, unlike the vertical bands seen on many relatives. It is a genuine rarity with a small natural range.

In the wild

The six-line leporinus comes from the Papagaio and the wider Tapajós river system in Brazil. It lives over sand in clear, gently flowing water.

Common questions

What size tank does a six-line leporinus need?

A six-line leporinus needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a six-line leporinus need?

A six-line leporinus is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

What does a six-line leporinus eat?

A six-line leporinus is an omnivore. Feed it small sinking pellets, algae wafers, vegetables and frozen foods, and expect it to graze soft plants.

How big does a six-line leporinus get?

An adult six-line leporinus reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

Related species