Banded Leporinus is a striking, active South American characin known for its bold yellow and black stripes. Because they grow quite large (up to 30 cm) and can be a bit nippy, they do best in larger setups (300+ liters) with robust tank mates and plenty of vegetable matter in their diet.

Species Overview

• Common Name: Banded Leporinus (Black Banded Leporinus)
  
  
• Scientific Name: Leporinus affinis
  
  
• Origin / Habitat: South America; Amazon and Orinoco river basins, fast-flowing rocky waters
  
  
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive / Active (can be quarrelsome; known to nibble fins of slow-moving or long-finned tank mates)
  
  
• Care Level: Intermediate
  
  
• Lifespan: 8 to 15 years
  
  

Size & Tank Requirements

• Maximum Adult Size: 25 to 30 cm
  
  
• Minimum Tank Size: 300 liters or larger (at least 120 cm to 150 cm in length for adults)
  
  
• Tank Setup:
  
  
  • Substrate: Fine sand or smooth, small-grained gravel
    
    
  • Decor: Heavy driftwood, rock formations, and robust live plants (such as Anubias or Java Fern tied to decor, as they will readily eat delicate plants)
    
    
  • Flow: Moderate to high flow with strong oxygenation and tight-fitting lids (they are exceptional jumpers)
    
    

Water Parameters

• Water Temperature: 22°C - 26°C
  
  
• pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
  
  
• Water Hardness (dH): Soft to moderate (up to 20 dGH)
  
  
• Maintenance Routine: Regular weekly partial water changes (25-30%); sensitive to high nitrates and requires high water quality
  
  

Diet & Feeding

• Diet Type: Omnivore (with a strong preference for plant matter/veggies)
  
  
• Preferred Foods: High-quality sinking pellets, flakes, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, peas, cucumber), and occasional meaty foods (frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp)
  
  
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 1–2 times daily in small portions
  
  

Social & Tank Mates

• Social Behavior: Gregarious; best kept either as a single specimen or in a large group of 8+ individuals to disperse aggression among the shoal.
  
  
• Compatible Tank Mates: Robust, fast-swimming mid-to-top dwelling fish, large peaceful cichlids, large characins, Doradid (talking) catfish, and Loricariids (plecos).
  
  
• Species to Avoid: Small nano fish or tetras (which may be viewed as food), slow-moving fish, and long-finned species susceptible to fin-nipping.
  
  

Breeding Notes (Optional)

• Breeding Difficulty: Extremely difficult / Not commonly bred in home aquariums
  
  
• Spawning Method: Egg scatterer (migrates in the wild to flooded forests to spawn)
  
  
• Fry Care: No parental care provided; commercial breeding is typically hormone-induced in large aquaculture settings.
  
  

Purchase Notice: Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. You can order online and choose click and collect and we will hold it for you.