Red Banded Leporinus (Synaptolaemus latofasciatus)

Red Banded Leporinus are a rare, hardy and beautifully coloured fish; however, although these fish are pretty easy to look after, they are not recommended for a beginner aquarist due to the size of the aquarium they will require and the choosing of the correct tankmates.

The juveniles are peaceful, but as they mature, they become somewhat aggressive towards their kind, so it would be best to keep either a single individual or a group of at least six individuals together to spread any disruptive behaviour throughout the group. These fish may also eat smaller fish, so you should only keep them with larger, more robust fish. You should also avoid housing these fish with species that have intricate finnage as this fish will nip at them.

Ideal tankmates for the Red Banded Leporinus could include medium-large sized peaceful Cichlids that come from fast-flowing waters, large Characins, and medium-sized semi-aggressive Barbs like Panda Barbs. You can also house these fish with Catfish and Plecos.

Red Banded Leporinus will thrive in an aquarium with sandy or fine gravel substrate and plenty of hiding places formed by driftwood and rocks. It is also recommended that you provide an open swimming area along the front of the aquarium. Plants are unnecessary but will make the aquarium look better; however, these fish will consume plants, so you must choose strong species like Java Fern and Anubias that can be attached to the decor. In addition, these fish must have powerful filtration and a high oxygenation level, as pristine water quality is crucial for this species to thrive. Therefore it would be best to perform water changes regularly to keep waste to a minimum. Finally, the aquarium will need a moderately fast water current and a sturdy, tight-fitting lid, as these fish are excellent jumpers.

The Red Banded Leporinus has an elongated black body contrasted by orange, red or yellow stripes extending along the entire body and below the lateral line. In addition, the lower jaw is much longer and broader than other Leporinus and seems vertical when the mouth is entirely closed.

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Feeding

In the home aquarium, the Red Banded Leporinus will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Tank Mates

1 interesting tank mate ideas for the Red Banded Leporinus could include:

Sexual Dimorphism

It can be somewhat challenging to differentiate between male and female Red Banded Leporinus. However, the males are typically slightly smaller and slimmer than females, and the females have rounder bodies.