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I purchased a Banded Leporins (Leporinus fasiatus) a few weeks ago and fish are starting to turn up dead ( half eaten ), everything I have read says these fish are peaceful. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

what other fish are in the tank??? what type of fish are dying?

The entire Genus Leporinus consists of big, tough critters. They have to be, because they share their waters with big Cichlids, Piranhas, those evil Wolf Fishes of the Genus Hoplias and other Erythrinids with jaws like gin traps, and Redtailed Cats/Tiger Shovelnoses. To survive in an environment like that, you need to be a bit of a bruiser yourself. Consequently, Leporinus are all tough fishes that can look after themselves, and are not averse to sneaky aggression of their own. Be advised that this gets worse with age if they are crowded or in too small an aquarium, and that they are also rocket-propelled jumpers that can fly clean across your living room with ease. Oh, and they also destroy all but the very toughest plants, and might even have a go at things such as Java Ferns!

Also, a lone Leporinus is asking for trouble. In the wild, they are shoaling fishes. They need to be in a group of 6 or so, and consequently, because they can reach 10 inches or more, need LARGE quarters. Just as well you didn't buy Leporinus frederici because that maxes out at a whopping 18 inches!

Leporinus are only suitably for keeping with big tankmates, usually things like Dempseys (they'll act as dither fish for Dempseys and can take the heat), or things such as Distichodus that share their plant eating, nipping and junping tendencies.

One plus point - they are hardy. Tough as old boots. But you had either best trade it in for something less feisty, or resign yourself to building a big aquarium for it and at least 5 others of its own kind. And don't put Silver Sharks in with them, or the Silver Sharks will end up shredded.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Also, a lone Leporinus is asking for trouble. In the wild, they are shoaling fishes.

Hehe, that's probably why mine's such a pain in the neck. None of my sources ever mentioned anything like that.

Yeah, my Leporinus terrorized my Balas when it was only 2" long and they were 6"! Separate immediately.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

The old Innes book covered Leporinus fascaitus in some detail Shini ... it also has an amazing anecdote which neatly illustrates both its rocket-propelled jumping ability and its toughness

Oh, and Braz Walker's pocket book makes similar remarks about a different Leporinus (I think it's nigrotaeniatus).

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002