Banded Leporinus 5cm

The Banded Leporinus is a phenomenal visually striking fish. It is a must-have for any South American biotope style aquarium and will really stand out in a black water environment. The simplicity in the colours of this fish really make it a South American gem, its bright yellow colour is contrasted with jet black bands, and a small hint of red near the cheeks of this fish really stand out. It also has a sharp, torpedo-like body shape and it gets to fairly large size of 30 cm (1 foot). The banded Leporinus also tend to have a varying personality with some stated to be relatively peaceful but also fairly aggressive as well. They are also commonly known to be fin nippers so it would be best to keep these in a semi-aggressive South American aquarium. Trying to find the males and females in this species is very difficult but it can be noted that males are skinnier while females are plumper. there are no other distinguishable sexual differences. They are highly unlikely to breed in an aquarium. The wild habitat of the Banded Leporinus is in the rivers and streams of the Amazon basin.

Tank Recommendations for your Banded Leporinus.

The Banded Leporinus is a very active fish that needs a tank that is at least 125 gallons (470 liters) and around 5 feet minimum width. A sand or gravel substrate is fine for the Banded Leporinus but for the aquascape overall it would be best to replicate something seen in the amazon with leaf litter, lots of wood, and dim lighting. This fish is mostly active during the day.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Black shark is 60% of the time an aggressive fish and is best suited to be kept with other large, boisterous, and semi-aggressive fish. It would be a good addition to a large South American community.

Usually Compatible

Large South American cichlids like Black belt cichlids and severums but also species such as silver dollars, flag tail prochilodus, and species of a similar sort.

Sometime Compatible

Medium size, semi-aggressive species such as Uaru, Fire Mouths, convicts, and species of a similar sort.

Rarely Compatible

Shrimp and nano aquarium fish like neon tetras, ember tetras, and also very aggressive South American cichlids such as Oscars and Jaguar Cichlids.

Feeding your Black Shark 

The Banded Leporinus is very easy to feed. It is an opportunistic feeder and will readily eat a wide range of foods being both dry, fresh, and frozen. Their diet should contain good quality sinking pellets with frozen food that have a high protein such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feeding should occur once a day and it is best to do so during the afternoon.