Distichodus (Distichodus sexfasciatus)

Distichodus sexfasciatus, the Six-banded Distichodus, is a large, colourful characoid from the Congo River basin with bright orange-red fins and six bold dark vertical bars that fade somewhat with age. A dedicated herbivore that will rapidly consume soft-leaved aquatic plants — best suited to aquariums decorated with hardy plants, rocks, and driftwood. Juveniles are particularly vivid and popular in large community setups.

Provide a very large aquarium (600L+) for adults. Do not keep with soft-leaved plants — will consume them. Use hardy décor: driftwood, rocks, Java fern, anubias. Feed vegetable matter: blanched vegetables, spirulina wafers, lettuce. Suitable for large community tanks with robust species. Avoid mixing with very small fish.