🐟 Black Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus)
An Elongated, Dart-Shaped Body With Bold Black-and-Yellow Bands • A Larger Relative of Tetras and Piranhas, Growing to 30cm • Needs a Real, Long-Term Tank Plan and a Secure Lid
 
This species grows large, reaching up to 30cm (12 inches), and we recommend a minimum aquarium size of 265L (70 gallons), with 380L or more giving it genuine room to roam. It's also a known strong jumper, so a secure, tight-fitting lid is essential from day one.
 
📋 The Black Banded Leporinus, also known as the Banded Leporinus or Banded Headstander, has an elongated, dart-shaped body marked with 9-10 bold black bands against a lemon-yellow background, the first band running straight through the eye. Younger fish show fewer bands, which split further as the fish matures, a bit like counting rings on a tree.
It comes from a wide range across South America, through the Orinoco and Amazon river systems in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. Every Black Banded Leporinus we ship is feeding well.
This is an active, fast-swimming characin relative of tetras and piranhas, often seen grazing head-down on algae-covered wood and rocks. It's generally peaceful toward other species, though it can be territorial toward its own kind and may nip the fins of slow, long-finned tankmates. It will also eat small fish as it grows, so tankmate choice matters as it matures.
 
💡 Highlights
⚫🟡 Bold Black-and-Yellow Bands: A striking, eye-catching pattern
📏 Grows Large: Up to 30cm, needs a serious long-term tank plan
🦘 A Known Jumper: A secure, tight-fitting lid is essential
🌿 A Natural Algae Grazer: Often seen grazing head-down on wood and rocks
😌 Generally Peaceful: Toward other species, though territorial with its own kind