Bornean leaf fish

Care at a glance

Overview

The Bornean leaf fish is a quiet ambush predator that spends most of its time sitting among plants and wood, waiting for prey. It is not aggressive toward fish it cannot eat, but it will swallow small tankmates, so choose companions that are peaceful and clearly too large to fit in its mouth. It can be kept in a small group in a roomy, heavily planted tank, though individuals may claim territories, so give each fish cover and hiding spots to spread out among. Many specimens insist on live foods such as shrimp and small feeders at first, then slowly accept frozen meaty foods. A well-planted tank of around 95 liters or larger suits it.

In the wild

This leaf fish comes from sluggish, vegetated fresh waters across Thailand and the Sunda Islands, where it lurks among submerged plants, roots, and leaf litter in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. It likes shade and structure rather than open space. Recreate that with dense planting, driftwood, leaf litter, and floating plants to soften the light, plus gentle filtration. Keep the temperature from 22 to 26 C and the pH between 6 and 7.5. Stable, clean, quiet water brings out its best color and behavior.

Good to know

The Bornean leaf fish belongs to the family Nandidae, the Asian leaf fishes. Adults reach about 12 cm and have a deep, mottled, leaf-like body and highly extensible jaws that shoot forward to engulf prey. It can swallow fish up to around two thirds of its own length, which is why small tankmates are never safe. Its blotchy brown pattern and slow, drifting movement help it vanish against the background. Aquarium breeding is not well documented, and most fish offered for sale are wild caught.

Did you know

Despite its modest size, the Bornean leaf fish can engulf prey up to about two thirds of its own body length. It hunts by staying almost motionless and letting its blotchy, leaf-like camouflage do the work, then striking with a sudden forward thrust of its expandable jaws.

Related species

• 

  Gangetic leaffish

  Nandus nandus

  7.9 in (20 cm)34 gal (130 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  African leaf fish

  Polycentropsis abbreviata

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)79–88°F (26–31°C)

• 

  Zebra acara

  Nannacara adoketa

  4.7 in (12 cm)25 gal (95 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Marbled headstander

  Abramites hypselonotus

  5.5 in (14 cm)70 gal (265 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)

• 

  Giant sailfin molly

  Poecilia velifera

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (113 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Guenther's Mouthbrooder

  Chromidotilapia guentheri

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)