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: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Tapajós basin, Brazil
Family: Anostomidae

Overview

The six-line leporinus is a true dwarf in a genus of large fish, staying near 8 centimeters, which makes it one of the few leporinus that fits an ordinary community tank. It is an active, social fish that can be kept singly or in a small group; even at this size it grazes and may nip, so keep it with similarly brisk tankmates and go easy on soft plants. It works the lower and middle water and picks at wood, stone, and sand. Feed a varied omnivore diet of small sinking pellets, algae wafers, vegetables, and frozen foods. A tank of around 150 liters or more suits it, and a tight lid is still important, since even small leporinus jump.

In the wild

This species comes from the Papagaio and wider Tapajos river system in Brazil, over sand in gently flowing, clear water. Give it a fine sandy floor, driftwood, smooth stones, and moderate, well-oxygenated flow. Keep the water warm at about 23 to 28 C and from soft and acidic to neutral, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.5.

Good to know

A member of the family Anostomidae, it was described in 1980 and reaches only about 8 centimeters, marked with dark lines running the length of a gold body rather than the vertical bands seen on many relatives. It is a genuine rarity with a small natural range. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Did you know

Retailers often drop a letter and sell it as Leporinus sextriatus, but the correct spelling is sexstriatus, meaning six-striped, and the fish keeps all six of its lines either way.