Banded Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata)

Leporinus fasciatus, the Banded Leporinus, is a large and active South American characin from the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, immediately recognisable by its striking pattern of alternating black and yellow horizontal bands that become more numerous as the fish ages — juveniles have fewer bands, while large adults may display twelve or more. A fast, strong swimmer that requires generous open swimming space, this species is not suitable for small aquariums. The Banded Leporinus is both an enthusiastic fin nipper toward long-finned species and a voracious plant eater, making it incompatible with delicate planted aquariums and fish with flowing fins. It is best suited to a large, sparsely decorated biotope or South American community tank with similarly active, fast-moving, and robust species.

Provide a large, spacious aquarium of at least 250 litres with open swimming space. Avoid housing with long-finned fish or in planted aquariums the fish will eat. Keep in groups of 3+ to distribute aggression intraspecifically. Feed a varied omnivore diet including flakes, pellets, and regular vegetable matter. Maintain good filtration and perform regular water changes.