Brevidens striatus
Striped Leporinus (Brevidens striatus)
Striped Leporinus (Brevidens striatus)
Out of stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
Remarks: The striped leporinus (Brevidens striatus) is a larger sized and very active anostomid not often seen within home aquariums. They have a long, stream-lined, golden body with four horizontal black bands and a white belly. Settled, mature fish will also develop a red spot on the upper lip making it almost look like the fish is blushing. This elegant look alongside their mostly peaceful, active personalities make striped leporinus a great addition to the aquarium especially if you are looking for some extra movement.
The common name and body shape of the striped leporinus can easily make one think they belong to the Leporinus genus, however this is not the case. Originally, striped leporinus were described as Leporinus striatus back in 1858 by Rudolf Kner after he discovered them in Mato Grosso, Brazil. In 2025, this species alongside a few other anostomids were reevaluated using both physical characteristics and DNA analysis by Brazilian ichthyologists Birindelli, Sidlauskas and Melo. Their investigation found that the striped leporinus differed so much that they had to establish an entirely new genus to place them in. They reclassified it as Brevidens striatus with the genus name meaning “short tooth” referencing the unique short fourth tooth this species has. The species name, striatus, references its stripes.
The native range of the striped leporinus extends well beyond where it was originally discovered. These fish can be found all throughout tropical South America in fast-flowing, well-oxygenated tributaries. Living in such habitats makes their stream-lined bodies and powerful swimming speed very advantageous, especially when pursuing prey or escaping predators. Striped leporinus are commonly found living in large, loose shoals with pecking orders constantly being reinforced through chasing and nipping. When designing a home for this species, keeping all these aspects of their natural lifestyle will best help your striped leporinus thrive. If not kept in proper groups or given enough hiding spots, striped leporinus can quickly become very skittish and stressed. Provide them with plenty of swimming space interspersed with hiding spots they can retire to when spooked, keep them in groups of at least six or more, and ensure oxygen levels are kept high. A varied diet of both meat and plant-based foods will also further help your striped leporinus look their best and have them begging at the glass anytime you approach.
Striped leporinus are mostly peaceful fish, but they are also opportunistic omnivores with a nipping habit so fish small enough to fit in their mouths like small tetras or fish with long fins like veil-tail angelfish should be avoided as tankmates. Plants also can be at risk for getting nibbled so only very hardy types such as Java fern and anubias should be considered. Instead, they make great dither fish for larger South American species such as large cichlids and catfish. Having a shoal of striped leporinus alongside species like severums and oscars looks great with the addition of their active behavior and elegant, golden color.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: South America
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Colombia
- Max adult size: 9-10"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Social behavior: Moderate
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 72°F - 79°F
- pH range: 5.5 - 7.0
- TDS range: 15 ppm - 200 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee