Leporinus octomaculatus
Leporinus octomaculatus is a small characiform native to the Tapajós drainage in the Brazilian Amazon — specifically the Arinos River basin and nearby Teles Pires tributaries.
Rarely targeted by sport anglers, it turns up in subsistence and artisanal fishing in its range. Its striking eight-blotch pattern has made it far more visible in the aquarium trade than in Brazilian fishing culture.
Scientific Name: Leporinus octomaculatus
Also known as Eight-spotted leporinus, 8-blotch leporinus
- Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a row of eight large, distinct dark blotches running along each side — the clearest field mark separating it from similar Leporinus species.
- Yellowish to pale tan base color; the blotches are rounded and evenly spaced, not forming a continuous stripe.
- Small mouth positioned at the front of the snout, suited to grazing on plant matter and small invertebrates.
- Tops out around 12–13 cm (roughly 5 inches) standard length — a small fish by Leporinus standards.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Brazil; known from the Arinos River basin within the Tapajós River drainage in the Brazilian Amazon.
- Also collected from the rio Braço Norte, a tributary of the rio Teles Pires, also within the Tapajós drainage.
- Prefers rocky, fast-moving stretches of clear, well-oxygenated river — typical of the upland Amazon tributaries in Mato Grosso and Pará states.
- A bottom-to-mid-water fish found in freshwater only; not present in brackish or coastal systems.
Key Locations
- Rio Arinos, Mato Grosso — the type locality and core of the species' known range within the Tapajós drainage.
- Rio Braço Norte and rio Teles Pires tributaries, Mato Grosso/Pará border — where related populations and hybrids have been documented.
Specific Spots
- Rocky runs and riffles with strong current — the fish uses the broken water and substrate for cover and feeding.
- Along weed beds and riparian vegetation in calmer side channels, where pairs move to breed.
- Behind boulders and submerged rock formations that break current and concentrate drifting food.
Leporinus octomaculatus FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Leporinus octomaculatus?
Small dough baits, bread, or plant-based baits on fine-wire hooks, consistent with the species' omnivorous, grazing diet. Tiny soft-plastic grubs or micro-jigs may draw strikes in rocky current, though this fish is rarely a deliberate target.
How do you catch Leporinus octomaculatus?
This species is not a deliberate sport-fishing target in Brazil. It is occasionally taken incidentally by subsistence fishers using handlines and small baited hooks in the rocky rivers of the Tapajós drainage.
What do Leporinus octomaculatus eat?
Omnivorous, grazing on algae, plant matter, and small invertebrates, in practice, small hook rigs baited with plant-based or dough baits can work where locals target it incidentally.
Where do Leporinus octomaculatus live?
Native to Brazil; known from the Arinos River basin within the Tapajós River drainage in the Brazilian Amazon. Also collected from the rio Braço Norte, a tributary of the rio Teles Pires, also within the Tapajós drainage.
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