How to Care for Eight Banded Leporinus Fish

The eight-banded Leporinus (Leporinus Octofasciatum) is a fish from the family Anostomidae. It gets its name from the eight dark bands that encircle its cylindrical pale-colored white and yellow body. Read on to learn how to care for this fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 60-gallon tank with lid
  • Hot water and dish towel
  • Hang on tank filter
  • Heater
  • Basic test kits (pH, temperature, etc.)
  • Aquarium substrate such as aquarium gravel
  • Aquarium decorations (live or fake plants, driftwood, rocks, caves, hiding places, etc)
  • Tropical fish flakes/ bloodworms
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Instructions

    • 1

      House your eight-banded Leporinus in a 60-gallon aquarium to allow lots of room to swim. Although the eight-banded Leporinus only grows to about 6 inches, it needs a spacious tank. Also, these fish are also notorious for jumping out of the tank, so make sure that your tank has a tight-fitting lid.

    • 2

      Clean out your tank before you add your fish, to get rid of any dirt and dust it may have accumulated from sitting on the shelf. Fill the tank ¼-way full with hot water. Scrub the inside and outside of the tank until it is squeaky clean. Empty the tank, rinse it out and then fill it up for your Eight-Banded Leporinus fish. You should wait 24 hours until you get your eight-banded Leporinus.

    • 3

      Set up your filter and heater. A hang-on tank filter that provides a strong current is best suited for this fish's habitat. Attach your heater to the tank, setting it to maintain the tank water temperature at 73 to 82° Fahrenheit. Use your test kits to maintain the water chemistry at pH 5.5 to 7.5 and 2-20 dH (8).

    • 4

      Add your substrate. Aquarium gravel will do the trick. Make sure you have cleaned the gravel first before putting it in the tank. Add your tank decorations, providing several hiding places with driftwood, rocks and stones. This is necessary because of eight-banded Leporinus’ need to escape from the light for periods of time.

    • 5

      Feed your eight-banded Leporinus any tropical fish flakes, aquatic insects, and frozen bloodworms and insect larvae. They are omnivorous, and will also feed on plants and vegetable flake food.

    • 6

      Give your eight-banded Leporinus companions. They are a peaceful species, and recommended for community tanks. Suggested companions include: South and Central American cichlids, catfish, barbs, tetras, knifefish, characins and Loaches.