Six-Barred Distichodus (Distichodus sexfasciatus)
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For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.
The Six-Barred Distichodus is a bold, unmistakable African river fish known for its striking vertical banding and powerful presence. Juveniles display crisp black bars over a silvery body, creating dramatic contrast and immediate visual impact. As they mature, these fish develop into large, commanding swimmers that bring true river-fish energy to expansive aquariums.
This is not a subtle species—it’s one for aquarists who appreciate scale, motion, and authority.
What We Love About This Fish:
• High-Contrast Banding: Bold vertical bars that stand out even in very large aquariums.
• Powerful Swimmer: Constant, purposeful movement typical of large river species.
• Distinct African Origin: A standout beyond typical community fish.
• Long-Term Presence: Grows into an impressive, long-lived centerpiece fish.
Natural Habitat:
Six-Barred Distichodus are native to large rivers and tributaries throughout Central Africa, including the Congo River Basin. These environments feature strong current, open swimming space, submerged wood, and seasonal vegetation. The species is adapted to well-oxygenated water and wide river channels—conditions that should be reflected in captivity.
Aquascaping:
Six-Barred Distichodus require aquariums designed around space, flow, and durability, prioritizing long, uninterrupted swimming lanes over vertical complexity.
Hardscape:
Hardscape should be sturdy and minimal. Large driftwood pieces, smooth boulders, and rounded river stones create structure without restricting movement. Open sand or fine gravel substrates work best and reflect the broad riverbeds this species inhabits. Avoid delicate décor—this is a strong, active fish that will easily displace unstable elements.
Plants:
Live plants are optional and often temporary. If plants are used, choose hardy, well-anchored species such as Anubias attached securely to wood or rock. Many aquarists opt for a wood-and-stone river layout instead, allowing the fish’s size, patterning, and movement to dominate the aquarium.
Botanicals:
Botanicals such as Indian Almond Leaves or bark may be used sparingly for a natural aesthetic, but water clarity and oxygenation are more important than tannin levels. Strong filtration and consistent water movement are essential to replicate native river conditions.
Diet and Feeding:
Six-Barred Distichodus are omnivores with a strong herbivorous lean. Offer a varied diet that includes high-quality pellets, wafers, and substantial vegetable matter such as spirulina-based foods and blanched greens. Occasional protein sources may be offered, but plant material should make up the bulk of their diet.
Tank Mates and Compatibility:
Best suited for large, species-appropriate aquariums or African river communities. Compatible tank mates include other robust African fish of similar size and temperament. Avoid small fish that could be viewed as food and overly aggressive species that may cause constant conflict.
Shrimp Compatibility:
Not compatible. Shrimp and other small invertebrates will be eaten.
Breeding:
Breeding Six-Barred Distichodus in home aquariums is extremely rare due to their size and riverine spawning requirements. This species is not considered a practical breeding project in captivity.
Recommended Tank Parameters:
• Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.8
• KH: 4–12 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons (larger strongly recommended as adults)
Care Guidelines:
• Diet: Omnivorous with heavy plant-matter requirements.
• Social Behavior: Semi-assertive; best kept with robust tank mates.
• Origin: Wild-type species
• Average Adult Size: 18–24 inches (45–60 cm)
• Average Purchase Size: Juveniles (size varies)
Live Arrival Guarantee:
All Aquatic Arts fish are backed by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, plus free email support to help you succeed.
Is the Six-Barred Distichodus aggressive?
Six-Barred Distichodus are not outright aggressive, but they are strong, assertive fish. They can be pushy during feeding and may bully smaller or timid tank mates, especially as they mature.
How big do Six-Barred Distichodus get?
This species grows large, commonly reaching 12–18 inches in captivity. Their size alone makes them unsuitable for most standard home aquariums.
What size tank does a Six-Barred Distichodus need?
A very large aquarium is required. Most keepers should plan for a minimum of 180 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended for long-term care.
Are Six-Barred Distichodus good for community tanks?
They are not community fish in the traditional sense. While they can coexist with other large, robust species, they are not suitable for peaceful community setups.
Do Six-Barred Distichodus eat plants?
Yes. This species is known to nibble, uproot, or outright consume many aquatic plants. Most aquariums housing them use hardy plants attached to rock or wood, or no plants at all.
What do Six-Barred Distichodus eat?
They are primarily herbivorous, with a diet focused on vegetable matter. High-quality vegetable-based pellets, algae-based foods, and blanched vegetables should make up the majority of their diet.
Can Six-Barred Distichodus be kept with other fish?
They can be kept with other large, durable fish that can handle their size and activity level. Small fish, slow movers, and delicate species should be avoided.
Are Six-Barred Distichodus active swimmers?
Yes. They are powerful, constant swimmers that need long, open stretches of water rather than heavily cluttered aquascapes.
Do Six-Barred Distichodus need strong filtration?
Absolutely. Their size and feeding habits produce a heavy bio-load. Strong filtration, high oxygenation, and consistent water movement are essential.
Is the Six-Barred Distichodus a beginner fish?
No. This species is best suited for experienced aquarists with access to large aquariums and a solid understanding of water quality management.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
