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African leaf fish

Polycentropsis abbreviata

FreshwaterFish

African leaf fish (Polycentropsis abbreviata)
George Albert Boulenger · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–88°F
26–31°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Bubble nester
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Nandidae
Origin
Cameroon, Benin, Gabon, Nigeria

Overview

The African leaf fish is a small, solitary ambush predator that hangs quietly among plants and roots, waiting for prey to drift close. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The African leaf fish is a master of disguise, drifting sideways and swaying like a waterlogged leaf until a smaller fish wanders within reach. When it strikes, its jaws shoot forward and the prey vanishes in well under a second. That is one of the fastest feeding moves of any freshwater fish.

Caring for the African leaf fish

A single African leaf fish needs a well-planted tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Plant it densely, add floating plants to cut the light, and include driftwood and leaf litter that stains the water a little. It settles in best with lots of cover, subdued light and slow-moving water.

Keep it warm, at 79 to 88°F (26 to 31°C), in soft water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and gentle filtration. Most keepers start it on live foods such as river shrimp, earthworms and small feeder fish. With patience, wean it onto frozen meaty foods.

It is not aggressive toward fish it cannot eat, but it will swallow anything that fits in its mouth. Keep it alone or only with calm fish that are too large to become a meal.

Breeding in the aquarium is rarely documented. In nature, the male is reported to build a bubble nest below a leaf or overhang and guard the eggs until they hatch.

Good to know

The African leaf fish belongs to the family Nandidae, the Old World leaf fishes. Some authorities place it in the Polycentridae instead. It has a deep, flattened body, mottled brown color and a huge, extendable mouth.

In the wild

The African leaf fish comes from warm, shady freshwater across West Africa, in Cameroon, Benin, Gabon and Nigeria. It haunts pools, swamps, creeks and slow rivers thick with submerged plants near the banks. There it hides among leafy cover in still water.

Common questions

What size tank does an African leaf fish need?

An African leaf fish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African leaf fish need?

An African leaf fish is comfortable at 79–88°F (26–31°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an African leaf fish eat?

An African leaf fish starts on live foods such as river shrimp, earthworms and small feeder fish. With patience, it can be weaned onto frozen meaty foods. It will swallow any fish that fits in its mouth.

How big does an African leaf fish get?

An adult African leaf fish reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does an African leaf fish breed?

The male African leaf fish is reported to build a bubble nest below a leaf or overhang in nature. He guards the eggs until they hatch, though breeding in the aquarium is rarely documented.

Related species