Banded Leporinus

1) Where they come from

Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus) are South American fish from big river systems like the Amazon and Orinoco. Think moving water, lots of wood and roots along the banks, and a constant supply of plant bits, fruits, bugs, and whatever else the current delivers. They’re built for cruising—and for chewing.

2) Setting up their tank

This is one of those fish that people buy small and cute, then panic a year later. They get large, thick-bodied, and busy. If you want to actually enjoy keeping one long-term, plan the tank around the adult size, not the baby you saw at the shop.

• Tank size: I’d treat 125g as a realistic starting point for an adult, bigger if you want tankmates and less drama.
• Flow/filtration: strong filtration and decent flow. They’re messy eaters and they poop like it’s their job.
• Aquascape: driftwood, chunky rocks, tough plants (or accept that plants are “temporary decor”). Leave open swimming space.
• Substrate: sand or smooth gravel. They’re not delicate, but sharp stuff + zooming fish = scrapes.
• Lid: tight-fitting. They can spook and rocket upward.

Water parameters aren’t the hard part—stability and cleanliness are. Neutral-ish water is fine for most people (mid 70s to low 80s °F, moderate hardness). The real trick is keeping nitrates down with water changes, because these guys eat big and make big waste.

3) What to feed them

They’re basically omnivores with a strong vegetarian streak, and they will sample anything they can scrape, bite, or steal. A boring diet makes them more likely to redecorate your plants and harass tankmates. A varied diet keeps them busy and in better shape.

• Staple: quality pellets (cichlid pellets work well) plus a spirulina/veg-based pellet or wafer.
• Veggies: zucchini, cucumber, blanched spinach, shelled peas. Clip it down so it doesn’t float around and foul the water.
• Treats: frozen foods like bloodworms, mysis, chopped shrimp—sparingly, not as the main course.
• Grazing options: algae wafers, Repashy-style gels, and occasional fruit bits (very small amounts—messy).

4) Behavior and tankmates

Banded Leporinus are confident, fast, and sometimes straight-up pushy. They aren’t “community fish” in the usual sense. Mine was fine for months, then one day decided a slow-moving fish was a chew toy. That’s the vibe—you’re managing a strong personality.

They’re also notorious fin-nippers. Not always, not with every individual, but enough that you should plan like it’ll happen. Long fins and slow fish are basically an invitation.

• Good matches (usually): robust, similarly sized fish that can handle themselves—big characins, sturdy catfish, larger cichlids with the right temperament.
• Avoid: angelfish, discus, fancy goldfish, slow gouramis, anything with trailing fins, and small fish they can swallow.
• Best single-specimen plan: one Leporinus as a “feature fish” with tough tankmates, not a mixed peaceful community.

Decor-wise, expect them to shove things around while searching for food. Make sure wood and rock piles are stable. If a rock can wobble, a Leporinus will eventually find a way to make it wobble more.

5) Breeding tips

Breeding Banded Leporinus in a home aquarium is pretty rare. Most of what you see in shops is wild-caught or produced in larger-scale setups (often with seasonal conditioning and, in commercial operations, hormone induction).

Honestly, I’d go into this species for the personality and the look—not as a breeding project.

6) Common problems to watch for

• Fin-nipping and harassment: often shows up as they gain size/confidence. Rehome the victim or the Leporinus—don’t wait for it to “sort itself out.”
• Plant destruction: even if they don’t eat every plant, they’ll sample, shred, or uproot. Stick to tough plants (Anubias, Java fern) attached to wood/rock, or go plant-light.
• Ich/parasites on new arrivals: many are wild-caught. Quarantine if you can, and don’t skip observation just because they’re acting tough.
• Bloat/constipation: usually from too much rich food and not enough veg. Add greens, peas, and back off heavy frozen foods for a bit.
• Injuries from spooking: they can slam into glass or decor. Keep lights from startling them (use a room light first), and keep hardscape smooth and stable.
• Water quality slide: big eater + big fish = nitrate creep. If algae and cranky behavior ramp up, your water change schedule probably needs a bump.