Six Banded Distichodus (Distichodus sexfasciatus)

A strikingly marked fish found throughout parts of Central Africa, the Six Banded or Sixbar Distichodus has been popular in the aquarium hobby for many years although it has become increasingly less common as imports from the region are now infrequent. A large growing, active fish with intense red fins and black bars across the body, this characiform tends to be found in lakes or larger streams, typically in areas of moderate to strong current. In the aquarium, they require plenty of open swimming space and will do best with robust, fast-moving tankmates. When young, the Six Banded Distichodus will cohabitate peacefully but as they grow they are often territorial towards one another and are also likely to nip fins of slower moving or long-finned tankmates.