Leporinus steyermarki – Slender Leporinus M 5–7 cm | Rare South American fish

The Leporinus steyermarki is a rare and attractive member of the headstanders from South America. With its elongated, torpedo-shaped body, distinctly contrasting black and yellow banding, and active swimming behavior, it is a true eye-catcher in large aquariums.

Compared to other Leporinus species, L. steyermarki remains slightly smaller and exhibits calmer social behavior. Nevertheless, it requires ample space, robust planting, and stable decoration, as it enjoys nibbling on plants and actively exploring the tank. An ideal setup is a river-like aquarium with current, dark substrate, and roots.

🌿 Characteristics & Care:

🐠 Size: 5–7 cm (M), final size approx. 18–20 cm
🌎 Origin: South America (Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil)
🌡️ Temperature: 24–28 °C
💧 pH value: 6.0–7.5
⚖️ Total hardness: up to 15 °dGH
🐟 Social behavior: Lively, partly territorial – group keeping of 5 or more fish with sufficient space
🌾 Aquarium: From 400 l, with strong current, robust plants, and open swimming space

🍽️ Feeding:
Omnivorous with a preference for plants. Eats live, frozen, and dry food, as well as plant-based food (e.g., spinach, zucchini, algae sheets).

💡 Tip:
Dark substrate and a slightly amber water coloration particularly highlight the contrasting stripes and golden shimmer.

👉 Conclusion:
The Leporinus steyermarki is a rare, attractive South American fish with characteristic stripe markings – perfect for large, well-structured aquariums and experienced aquarists.