So far we could import this probably most beautiful of all Leporinus only once: Leporinus sp. “Strawberry”. That was in the season 2010/2011, in which we managed two imports in small numbers. For these fishes please see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/leporinus_sp_strawberry__en/ An interesting side note: five of the fishes imported at that time we got back in top condition only a few weeks ago and were able to resell them. So they are very long-lived fish!
Now there is a chance that more people will be able to enjoy these beautiful fish in the future, because we have been offered offspring for the first time. Of course we bought them and we didn’t regret it in any way! Already with their 4-6 cm length (the photographed specimens are about 4 cm long) they are extremely colorful goblins. We are quite sure that this species will become a perennial favorite if the breeding continues to be successful and the prices drop a bit as a result.
For our customers: the fish have code 265892 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
For the first time we can offer this pretty Leporinus, which was scientifically described only in 2000. Be careful not to confuse it with L. octomaculatus, because this is a completely different species; here the confusion of one letter has consequences!
So far Leporinus ortomaculatus is known from the Rio Surumu, Roraima, Brazil and from the rivers Rio Caroni, Rio Caura and Orinoco to the Delta Amacuro in Venezuela. Our animals originate from Brazil.
Two peculiarities make Leporinus ortomaculatus especially interesting for aquarium care: first, the species remains small by Leporinus standards. The largest specimen known to date was 11 cm long, so it can be assumed that the fish will hardly become longer than 15 cm in the aquarium (as is well known, Leporinus are long-lived fish and will certainly become much older and thus larger in the aquarium than in the wild). And secondly Leporinus ortomaculatus belongs to the most peaceful of all Leporinus species. Although there is constant teasing and chasing among them, as it is so typical for Leporinus, there is not even any fin damage!
For our customers: the animals have code 265763 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
The tetras of the genus Leporinus (the genus name is a derivative of the Latin word “lepus” for “hare”) belong to the characteristic river fishes of South America. They owe their name to the shape of their mouth in combination with the elongated “hare teeth” in the lower jaw of some species, which reminded the genus descriptor of hare snouts. About 90 species have been scientifically described. Exactly how many species there are, however, is a matter of debate, as it is difficult to distinguish one species from another.
The only species regularly available in the pet trade is certainly Leporinus fasciatus. On golden-yellow, sometimes silver-white ground the vertical bands stand out effectively. This widespread species grows to a length of about 40 cm and we currently have both wild caught specimens from Venezuela and captive bred specimens from Indonesia in our stock. The pictures show wild specimens.
Very similar is Leporinus affins, which grows about 25 cm long. The word affinis means “similar” (meaning “similar to Leoprinus fasciatus”) and that fits it very well. The outward similarity of the two is striking at first, but you can clearly see that they are different species if you know what to look for. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the body ringlets below the adipose fin: in L. affinis there is one broad band here, while in L. fasciatus there are two narrow bands that are much closer together than the rest of the body bands.
Leporinus are very interesting aquarium fishes if you can provide the space for them. Among themselves they form a hierarchy. Important is additional vegetable food (leafy plants, like spinach, salads, dandelion etc.), also water plants are grazed with stump and stem. Concerning the water values the fish are undemanding, however humic substances promote the coloration. In soft, slightly acidic water they are very, very colorful.
The aquarium must be covered absilt completely: Leporinus jump incredibly accurate!
For our customers: Offsprings from Indonesia have code 265903, wild caught (currently from Venezuela) have code 265905 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.
One of the longest known Leporinus species is L. friderici. It was already described in 1794 under the name Salmo friderici. The author, Marcus Eliser Bloch, writes: “This fish is a resident of Surinam’s waters. I received it from the present governor, the Lord of Friderici, along with several other fish. He has an excellent meat, and belongs to the tasty fish of Suriname.”
At the moment we have very nice bred ones of these up to 40 cm long tetras from Indonesia in the stock. The animals are currently 5-7 cm long. In the behavior, one can compare them best with cichlids. They form – quite rough – a ranking among themselves, why one hardly ever sees a specimen with completely undamaged fins. However, these injuries are harmless. If they feel threatened, however, they join together immediately to a dense swarm. One can characterize these tetras therefore best as social fish, who estimate the society of conspecifics, but doesn’t treat them necessarily peacefully.
In nature Leporinus feed mainly on fruits, seeds and insects, in the aquarium they reliably destroy all plants. They are ideal fish in large aquariums with silver dollars, large cichlids, catfish, etc.
For our customers: the animals have code 265923 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Leporinus steyermarki is a beautiful large tetra. It can reach a maximum size of about 30 cm and originates from Venezuela. In German, the fish is now and then named “Grey Leporinus” which is for sure not describing accurately the coloration of the animal. Maybe this name bases on a confusion with another of the numerous species of Leporinus.
Like all Leporinus, this fish is an omnivorous animal that takes a lot plant of material for food. Our specimens currently are 4-6 cm long and very peaceful against each other.
For our customers: the fish have code 265882 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Leporinus: Latin, means “hare-nose”. steyermarki: named for Julian A. Steyermark who led the 1953 botanical Venzuela Expedition of the Chicago Natural History Museum; the fish was discovered during this expedition.
Suggestion of a common name: Golden Spotted Leporinus
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
We use cookies
We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential while others help us to improve this website and your experience.
