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Gangetic leaffish

Nandus nandus

Also known as Mottled nandus, Nandus leaffish, Gangetic mud perch

FreshwaterFish
Gangetic leaffish (Nandus nandus)
Francis Hamilton (formerly Buchanan) · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
7.9 in (20 cm)
Minimum tank
34 gal (130 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Native to fresh and sometimes slightly brackish waters across South Asia, from the Ganges basin through Myanmar.
Family
Nandidae

Overview

Reaching about 20 cm, it needs a tank of at least 130 litres with wood, caves and dim light. Keep it at 22 to 28 C and pH 6.5 to 7.8. It is a predator that will eat any fish it can swallow, so house it only with larger, calm tankmates. It often refuses flake, so feed live and frozen foods such as earthworms, prawn and river shrimp.

In the wild

The Gangetic leaffish is a mottled brown ambush predator with a huge, extendable mouth and a body that breaks up its outline against wood and leaves. It hangs still until prey drifts close, then engulfs it in a flash. Its drab pattern shifts to match its surroundings.

Good to know

Nandus nandus reaches around 20 cm and tolerates hard and even slightly brackish water across its wide South Asian range. It can extend its jaws into a long tube to inhale prey. It hunts mainly at dusk and after dark.

Did you know

The leaffish can shoot its jaws forward into a wide tube, creating a sudden vacuum that pulls small fish straight into its mouth.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish

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