Leporinus fasciatus is a member of the Family Anostomidae, which includes the 'headstanders'. It is a fish from Central and South America, primarily in large rivers. The maximum size of 12 inches is correct, though the largest I ever personally kept reached about 9 inches. There is one in a local
lfs here in the Dallas area that is about 8 inches.
L. fasciatus is primarily herbivorous so it isn't a fish for a planted aquarium (unless you don't like your plants). They are often found in stores at a small size but they grow fairly quickly and should be given a roomy tank (55 gallon or larger). They are relatively peaceful with fish of their own size...though they are known as fin-nippers and will sometimes fight with others of their own kind. Being a riverine fish,
L. fasciatus likes a tank with a current and high oxygen levels.
One thing I'd especially like to stress is that
Leporinus fasciatus are GREAT jumpers. I lost my 9 inch fish when I stupidly left the tank uncovered one morning before going to work and came back to find my gorgeous
L. fasciatus on the floor, deader than a stone.
To my knowledge they have never been bred in captivity so the fish you find in the stores are probably wild-caught.
