Name: Borneo Red Cheek Sultan Fish / Leptobarbus melanopterus
Brand: Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co.
SKU: 11834944946494
Price: 95.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

WE ARE MOVING!

Dear customers,

We have some exciting news to share, along with an important update about what the next several months may look like for our business.

Over the coming months, we will be gradually reducing our in-stock fish inventory as we prepare to move Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co. to a new location. We are not closing, and we will still be taking orders, but our available in-stock livestock will become more limited during this transition. For the time being, we will be relying more heavily on Special Order livestock until we are fully moved and set up in the new facility.

Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co. began in 2021 as a small garage startup. It was a side-hustle for us that we did mostly for fun and for the love of the hobby. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our customers, it quickly grew far beyond what that original space could handle, and far beyond what we ever imagined was possible. We recently purchased a 1-acre property about one hour North of Houston Texas where we will be building a purpose-built fish shop, and once completed, the new facility will give us more than 10 times the space we currently have.

This is a huge step for us and for the future of the business. Our new location will eventually be open to the public, which will be a major change from our current online-only setup. With the additional space, we plan to greatly expand our freshwater livestock selection, begin offering saltwater livestock, and add a greenhouse wing dedicated to tropical plants and koi ponds.

While we are extremely excited about what is ahead, we also want to be honest about the reality of getting there.

Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co. is still run entirely by just two people: myself, Charles, and my girlfriend, Katie. We both currently work full-time jobs outside of the fish business, and we will be building the new facility ourselves during whatever spare time we have available. We are very fortunate to be in a position where we can build and expand, but we are not in a position to hire a crew or staff to make the process happen quickly.

Because of this, customers may notice slower response times to messages and inquiries. We also do not have a guaranteed timeline for completion. Our goal is to complete phase one and be moved into the new shop by the end of the year, but because this is being done by us, by hand, in our limited free time, that timeline may shift. After the initial move, phases two and three will continue as we work toward completing the full project.

We know that this transition may make things less convenient for a while. Inventory may be more limited, Special Orders may play a larger role, and communication may not be as fast as we would like it to be. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process.

Most importantly, we want to say thank you. Your support is the reason Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co. has reached this point. What started as a small garage business has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined, and although this next step will be challenging, we believe it will allow us to build something far better for our customers in the long run.

Thank you for your continued trust, support, and patience while we work to take Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co. to the next level.

Sincerely,
Charles & Katie
Lone Star Rare Exotic Fish Co.

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Common Name: Borneo Red Cheek Sultan Fish
Scientific Name: Leptobarbus melanopterus

The Borneo Red Cheek Sultan Fish is a wild-caught cyprinid from Borneo that is rarely seen in the hobby. It is a sleek, torpedo-shaped cyprinid with a silvery body, and its trade name refers to its red cheek. It is a fast, active swimmer that shows best in a group. It is an unusual and interesting fish that is highly prized by aquarists who enjoy Asian species.

Habitat and Distribution:
Leptobarbus melanopterus is native to the Kapuas basin of Borneo (Indonesia), where it lives in rivers and streams. The Kapuas is the longest river in Indonesia, and many of its tributaries are soft, slightly acidic forest streams.

Size and Lifespan:
Adults reach about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm). Lifespan in captivity is not well documented for this species, but with good care it can be expected to live for many years.

Diet and Behavior:
It is omnivorous. In the aquarium, offer pellets, vegetables and frozen foods. It is a peaceful, active schooling fish that can be skittish when kept alone. Feed a varied diet and remove uneaten food promptly to protect water quality.

Breeding and Reproduction:
It is not bred in home aquariums; fish in the trade are wild-caught. Little is documented about its breeding habits in the wild.

Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements:
A tank of at least 180 gallons (6 feet or longer) is recommended. Provide open swimming space, strong filtration and a secure lid, as it jumps when startled. The water temperature should be kept between 72-82°F (22-28°C), with a pH of 6.0-7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. Regular partial water changes are essential to maintain water quality, and new arrivals should be acclimated slowly.

Ideal Tank Mates:
Good tank mates include other peaceful, active fish of similar size, such as large barbs, rainbowfish, loaches and plecos. As with any aquarium, introduce new fish carefully and watch for signs of stress or aggression.

Difficulty Level:
Intermediate. It is hardy, but grows large and needs a long tank. It is well suited to aquarists with some experience who can maintain stable water conditions.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
pH: 6.0-7.5
General Hardness (GH): 3-12 dGH
Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2-8 dKH
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: <20 ppm (regular water changes required)

Additional Information:

Keep it in a group in a long tank with open swimming space.
It jumps when startled, so a secure lid is essential.
It is an active swimmer that appreciates good water movement.

The Borneo Red Cheek Sultan Fish is an uncommon, active schooling fish for large aquariums. With the right setup and care, it will be a rewarding addition for many years.

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WE ARE MOVING!

Borneo Red Cheek Sultan Fish / Leptobarbus melanopterus

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