Leporinus

Leporinus

Fish from the Leporinus genus are striking additions to any aquarium. These fish originate from the warm waters of South America and are known for their elongated, cigar-shaped bodies. They often have beautiful patterns with black stripes or spots on a yellow or gray background.

They are active swimmers that can grow quite large, requiring a spacious aquarium. A distinctive feature is their mouth: they have teeth that are somewhat reminiscent of those of a hare or rabbit. This also reveals part of their diet, as they like to use these teeth to nibble on things, including aquarium plants. Although they are beautiful to look at, their size and appetite make them unsuitable for every community aquarium.

Name and meaning

The genus Leporinus belongs to the family Anostomidae, also known as the headstanders. This is a large family of fish that is widespread in South America.

The scientific name Leporinus was first officially described in 1829 by the biologists Spix and Agassiz.

The meaning of the name is very appropriate when you look at the fish up close. Leporinus comes from Latin and is derived from the word lepus, which means hare. Loosely translated, the name means “hare-like” or “little hare.” This name refers to the fish’s mouth. They have two prominent front teeth in their upper jaw that closely resemble the teeth of a hare or rabbit.

Characteristics

When you see a Leporinus swimming, its physique immediately catches your eye. They have an elongated, cigar- or torpedo-shaped body. This makes them built for speed and allows them to swim powerfully.

There are many variations in their appearance, depending on the specific species.

• Patterns: The best-known species, Leporinus fasciatus, has striking vertical black bands across a yellow-gold body. Other species, such as Leporinus maculatus, have spots or blotches. The colors are often contrasting (black, yellow, gray, and white), making them real eye-catchers.
• Size: This is an important point for beginners. They are often sold small in pet stores, but don’t be fooled. Most Leporinus species grow to a considerable size. A length of 20 to 30 centimeters is quite normal in an aquarium. In nature, some species can grow even larger.
• Head and mouth: As mentioned earlier in the naming, the mouth is unusual. The lips are thick and the teeth are often clearly visible. They also have a so-called adipose fin, a small fin on the back just before the tail, which is typical of many carp-like fish (to which the Anostomidae family is related).

The difference between males and females is very difficult to see in these fish. Adult females are often slightly plumper and rounder in shape than males, especially when they are carrying roe (eggs), but there are usually no clear external characteristics.

Origin

The genus Leporinus originates from the tropical waters of South America. They have a huge distribution area. They can be found in almost all major river systems on the continent, such as the immense Amazon region, the Orinoco, and the Rio de la Plata basin. They are also common in the rivers of the Guianas (such as in Suriname).

In nature, they inhabit different types of waters, but they prefer fast-flowing rivers. Because they are such powerful swimmers, they have no trouble with strong currents. They often stay in areas with rocky bottoms.

During the rainy season, when the rivers burst their banks, these fish often migrate into the flooded forests. Here they find an abundance of food. This natural behavior tells us a lot about how to keep them in the aquarium: they are accustomed to space and fresh water.

Behavior

Leporinus is definitely not a boring fish to watch. They are very active and curious inhabitants. They spend the whole day inspecting the bottom and the decor, often with their heads slightly down. They do this to search for edible things between rocks and crevices.

There are a few important points to keep in mind. Unfortunately, these fish are known to sometimes nibble on the long fins of other fish. Therefore, it is best not to keep them together with slow-moving fish with veils, such as angelfish or goldfish.

They can be quite aggressive towards other fish of the same species. If you put only two or three together, there is a good chance that they will constantly fight. It is therefore often best to keep them either alone (as the only one of their species) or in a very large group (6 or more) in a huge aquarium. In a large group, the aggression is spread out. For most beginners, it is safer to keep one specimen in a community tank.

This is perhaps the most important point about their behavior. They see aquarium plants as a tasty salad. Soft plants will be eaten bare in no time.

Because they are powerful swimmers that sometimes jump over obstacles in nature, they can also jump in the aquarium. A well-fitting light cover or cover glass is absolutely necessary, otherwise you will find them next to the aquarium.

Leporinus Species

Below you will find the Leporinus species that we have included in our database: