wasn't sure if this was the right area to put this but... anyone who has any experience with a black banded leporinus please let me know all there is to know about this fish, size, temper, suitable tank mates ect, any help is welcome thanks

never kept one but i know they can get up to around 8 inches and very aggressive, though ive heard of peaceful ones too - luck of the draw i suppose. ive never kept one because of how nasty they can get.

This post has been edited by Rubix: Jan 24 2008, 01:19 AM

Theyre ok until they reach about 4" and from then on all hell breaks loose, theyre more than capable of just ripping other fishes throats out and generally nip and bite at anything that comes near. Adults should reach between 10 and 12 inches but growth is fairly slow. suitable tankmates are fast moving smaller but aggressive fish and nothing with long fins or whiskers.

I kept one in the past, and have one now....both have been extremely peaceful. The one that I kept in the past, was kept in a tropical community tank Yeah, crazy huh? The gf wanted it and I warned her that it would probable eventually kill the others...however it never did...It coexisted peacefully with mollies, platies, etc. It grew large enough to eat most of them, but never did. The one I have now is also peaceful...I have only seen him be aggressive towards new tankmates...then he gets used to them. He's actually a big chicken...they're supposed to be avid jumpers but he is terrified of the surface...he will never go to the surface for his food. I guess as a previous poster said, its the luck of the draw. They grow quicly at first then slow down; I got mine 5 months ago at just short of 3 inches, now he's 6in but is growing slower.