Black-Banded Leporinus

ANIMAL:
Black-Banded Leporinus Leporinus fasciatus

Type of Animal:
Characin

Habitat:
Benthic layer of fast-flowing creeks/streams in river basins, tropical rivers (especially fast-flow rivers), flooded forests, fast-moving rocky waters, sandy riverbeds, rocky riverbeds, main river channels, smaller tributaries, oxbows, ponds, lakes

Location(s):
N & C South America

Appearance:
Yellow to beige w/ black stripes, sometimes w/ orange markings on head/tail fin, torpedo-shaped, older fish have more bands, females plumper than males

Food/Diet:
Algae, plant matter, vegetables, shoots, leaves, worms, crustaceans, larvae, insects, fish, fruit, small snails
 
Status in Wild:
Stable

Lifestyle:
Schools of 6-30 fish

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Fry
Group: School

Gestation:
1.5 days 

Life Span:
5-10 years

Body Length:
Male: 6-9 in
Female: 8-12 in

Fairly popular in aquarium trade but extremely difficult to breed.
 
Also called Banded Headstander, Many-Banded Leporinus, Banded Leporinus, Striped Leporinus, & Eight-Banded Leporinus
 
Juveniles only have 5 bands-as they grow, 1 band splits in 2 every year.
 
Get headstander name due to positioning themselves w/ heads down in crevices.
 
Males tend to the eggs.
 
Spawn in densely vegetated areas.
 
Reach maturity at 2-3 years old.

Fun Fact(s):
These fish will jump if startled.
 
Name “Leporinus” of French origin meaning “little hare” due to hare-like front teeth.