Remarks:  The red banded leporinus is one of the most desirable of its kind in the hobby. Their bright red/orange colors contrasted nicely by dark black vertical bands adds a pop of color to almost any tank. These vibrant colors aren’t the only thing that makes the red banded leporinus stand out, their demeanor is also a plus. Compared to other leporinus and headstanders, they are much more mellow and less likely to pick fights with conspecifics. That being said, there is still a chance for them to get territorial especially when kept in a smaller space so the possibility of having to separate them should be planned for. Providing plenty of hiding spots and open swimming space will help reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

  An interesting thing to note about the red banded leporinus is that they do not actually belong to the Leporinus genus. Instead, they are the only known member of the Synaptolaemus genus. They were originally discovered in 1910 by Steindachner who originally described them as Synaptolaemus cingulatus. Later in 2011, Britzki et al. determined that the fish known as Leporinus latofasciatus was the same as S. cingulatus. This led to the red banded leporinus being reclassified as Synaptolaemus latofasciatus. Originally, they were thought to only occupy the Orinoco River in Venezuela, but are now known to occur in a much broader range spanning from the upper Orinoco to the middle and lower Amazon regions. The waters they inhabit are rather warm for a headstander and typically very tannin-stained from all the fallen branches and other botanicals present in their habitat. These red/black water habitats make the red banded leporinus be able to hide in plain sight due to their red coloring blending in with the water. They are most often found under branches and other debris, feeding on algae, tiny crustaceans, and other small invertebrates on the undersides of these structures. The upturned mouth of the red banded leporinus assists it in this interesting feeding style that allows it to feed in usually untouched areas while keeping an eye out for predators. The small bristles on their “chin” aid in finding small prey and add to their already unique appearance.

  Care for the red banded leporinus is very similar to that of other leporinus and headstanders. They require lots of overhangs to hide under while also appreciating plenty of open swimming space. While they are a loosely shoaling species, there is typically frequent nipping and chasing amongst the group as they establish a pecking order. If not kept in proper numbers of six or more, this nipping and chasing behavior can be extended to other tankmates outside their species. To prevent aggression and damage to tankmates, it is therefore heavily recommended to keep these fish in large groups with plenty of tank space. Tankmates with long fins are advised against as they will likely get nipped. Red banded leporinus can do very well in a South American community tank with medium to large sized cichlids such as severums as they are too large to be swallowed and are fast swimmers. Being voracious omnivore that will feed on almost any food offered, care should be taken if housing them with more shy species to ensure all fish are getting enough to eat. Like others in their family, the red banded leporinus has a decent life span for a Characiform so with proper care they can be enjoyed for many years.