Black-Banded Leporinus

Black-Banded Leporinus (Leporinus Affinis)

The Black-Banded Leporinus is a captivating freshwater fish with a cylindrical body and bold black stripes on a cream-colored background. They are closely related to the Banded Leporinus but have a more muted color pattern.

Similar to the Banded Leporinus, the Black-Banded Leporinus is an active and curious species with a semi-aggressive temperament, especially when kept in smaller groups or with smaller tank mates. They can grow up to 6-8 inches in captivity.

If a few Black-Banded Leporinus are kept, then they tend to be quarrelsome with each other. They are best kept in groups of 6 or more or just 1 in a peaceful medium to large fish community to minimize aggression. The Black-Banded Leporinus is best kept with larger, peaceful tank mates, as they can be semi-aggressive and may prey on smaller fish. Reophilic species, which are adapted to fast-flowing waters, make suitable companions for the Banded Leporinus due to their shared preference for similar water flow and environmental conditions.

Suitable tank mates for the Black-Banded Leporinus may include larger characids (e.g., Silver Dollars), loricariids (e.g., Bristlenose Plecos), doradids (e.g., Thorny Catfish), and peaceful cichlids (e.g., Severum or Blue Acara). When choosing tank mates, consider their size, temperament, and water parameter preferences to ensure a harmonious and healthy community aquarium.

Black-Banded Leporinus feed on algae, plant matter, small invertebrates, and high-quality pellets or sinking algae wafers. Fish foods containing high levels of protein are best avoided.

The Black-Banded Leporinus are strong swimmers that appreciate moderately fast currents, making a long tank with ample swimming space essential for their well-being. A substrate of sand or fine gravel, combined with driftwood, large smooth rocks, and sturdy plants, provides hiding spots and establishes territorial boundaries. These fish prefer swimming in the middle to bottom levels of the tank. They are also known to graze on algae and plant matter when available.

Black-Banded Leporinus requires a spacious aquarium of at least 75 gallons, with the ideal community aquarium size being 100 gallons or more. The ideal water parameters for Black-Banded Leporinus are a pH of 6.0-7.5, hardness of 5-20 dGH, and a temperature of 74-79°F (23-26°C).

These fish should be introduced to biologically mature aquariums only.
A well-fitting cover is essential as Black-Banded Leporinus species are prodigious jumpers.