TankBud

Striped leporinus

Brevidens striatus

Also known as Leporinus striatus, Fine-striped leporinus

FreshwaterFish

Striped leporinus (Brevidens striatus)
Donald Davesne · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 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
Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay basins

Overview

The striped leporinus is an active, hardy characin marked with fine dark lines along a gold body. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The striped leporinus has a new genus name, Brevidens, which means short tooth. The name comes from a single tiny fourth tooth in its lower jaw. That small detail helped separate this pinstriped fish from the rest of the leporinus.

Caring for the striped leporinus

Allow a striped leporinus at least 53 gal (200 L), and fit a tight lid, since these fish jump. Give it an open layout with driftwood, smooth rocks and a sand floor. It grazes plants, so use tough decor and skip soft plants.

Provide moderate to strong flow that keeps the water rich in oxygen. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C), with a mildly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It works the lower and middle water, picking at wood and stone. Feed a varied omnivore diet with vegetable matter alongside sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods.

The striped leporinus does fine alone or in a group in a large tank. It can nip fins, so keep it with robust, similarly active tank mates rather than timid ones. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.

Good to know

The striped leporinus was long known as Leporinus striatus. A 2025 revision of the family Anostomidae moved it to the new genus Brevidens, as the only species in that genus. It is also called the fine-striped leporinus.

In the wild

The striped leporinus is one of the most widespread fish of its group, found across the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay basins. It lives in flowing river reaches over wood and stone.

Common questions

What size tank does a striped leporinus need?

A striped leporinus needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a striped leporinus need?

A striped leporinus is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a striped leporinus eat?

A striped leporinus is an omnivore. Feed it vegetable matter alongside sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods, and expect it to graze any soft plants.

How big does a striped leporinus get?

An adult striped leporinus reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species