Banded Leporinus

The Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus) is a highly popular and visually captivating fish within its group. It exhibits a distinctive pattern of alternating black and yellow bands, creating a striking appearance that sets it apart. In the wild, it typically grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length, but in captivity, it usually reaches about 8 inches (20 cm). The impressive size and bold banding make the Banded Leporinus an attractive addition to any aquarium.

This characin's scientific name, Leporinus fasciatus, offers insight into its characteristics. "Leporinus" refers to its rabbit-like snout, while "fasciatus" alludes to its banded pattern. It is commonly known as the Black-Banded Leporinus or simply the Banded Leporinus, which accurately describe its distinctive body markings. Notably, the patterning of this fish undergoes a fascinating transformation as it matures. Juvenile individuals initially possess five black bands. However, as they reach one year of age, the first band splits into two. Every six months thereafter, another band will divide, resulting in a progressively increasing number of bands. By the time the characin reaches three years old, it will exhibit ten bands, and its yellow-colored bands tend to transition to a more orangish hue. Interestingly, one can estimate the fish's approximate age by counting the number of bands it displays.