Amazon leaf fish
Monocirrhus polyacanthus
Also known as South American leaf fish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–84°F
- 23–29°C
- pH
- 5.0–6.5
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Polycentridae
- Origin
- South America
Overview
The Amazon leaf fish is a slow-moving ambush hunter that spends its day imitating a dead leaf until prey drifts near. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Amazon leaf fish has a disguise few other fish can match. It even carries a dark stripe that imitates the midrib of a leaf, and a chin barbel that looks like the stalk. It strikes in about two tenths of a second when prey drifts close, making it one of the fastest feeders in fresh water.
Caring for the Amazon leaf fish
Give a single Amazon leaf fish a calm, shaded tank of 30 gal (115 L) or larger. It wants quiet, dimly lit water with plenty of cover to lurk in. Add driftwood, leaf litter and tall plants for shade.
Keep the water soft and acidic, at 73 to 84°F (23 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 6.5, with gentle flow. Expect to feed live foods at first, such as shrimp and small feeder fish, since many refuse anything that does not move. Then coax it onto frozen foods over time.
The Amazon leaf fish is solitary and mostly peaceful. It ignores fish too large to eat but will inhale small tank mates. Keep it alone or with peaceful fish that are clearly too big to swallow, and never with fin-nippers.
Breeding in the aquarium is seldom recorded. In nature it lays eggs on a firm surface such as a leaf or stone, and the male guards the clutch.
Good to know
The Amazon leaf fish is the only species in its genus, part of the New World leaf fish family Polycentridae. It has a deep, laterally flattened body and a mouth that opens very wide.
In the wild
The Amazon leaf fish lives in the still, shaded blackwater creeks and flooded forest margins of the Amazon Basin. Tannins stain the water there the color of weak tea, and dead leaves carpet the bottom. It drifts among that leaf litter and the submerged roots, well camouflaged.
Common questions
What size tank does an Amazon leaf fish need?
An Amazon leaf fish needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Amazon leaf fish need?
An Amazon leaf fish is comfortable at 73–84°F (23–29°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
What does an Amazon leaf fish eat?
An Amazon leaf fish eats live foods at first, such as shrimp and small feeder fish, since many refuse anything that does not move. Over time, you can coax it onto frozen foods.
How big does an Amazon leaf fish get?
An adult Amazon leaf fish reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
How does an Amazon leaf fish breed?
An Amazon leaf fish lays its eggs on a firm surface such as a leaf or stone, and the male guards them. This is known from fish in nature, since aquarium breeding is seldom recorded.
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