Malayan leaf fish
Pristolepis fasciata
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Pristolepididae
- Origin
- Thailand
Overview
The Malayan leaf fish is a stocky, predatory fish that swims in the middle of the tank. It is a difficult fish, best left to experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Malayan leaf fish is only a leaf fish by name. It does not drift and tilt to mimic dead foliage the way the true leaf fishes do. Across Southeast Asia it is better known as a food fish, caught and farmed for the table as much as for the aquarium.
Caring for the Malayan leaf fish
The Malayan leaf fish grows to a good size, so give it at least 40 gal (150 L) with plenty of swimming and hiding room. Build a well-structured tank with driftwood, roots, rockwork and robust plants to break up sight lines. Add a soft substrate and keep the lighting subdued.
Keep the temperature at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and the pH at 6.0 to 7.5, with gentle filtration. It adapts to a range of conditions but does best in clean, stable water.
Feed meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, earthworms and small feeder items. Most take frozen foods readily once settled.
It is not especially aggressive toward fish its own size, but it will eat smaller companions and can be pushy at feeding time. Keep it on its own or with large, robust tank mates it cannot swallow. It is a substrate spawner, and breeding it in the home aquarium is considered difficult.
Good to know
The Malayan leaf fish, Pristolepis fasciata, belongs to the family Pristolepididae and is also known as Catopra. Its deep, banded body has a general predator's shape. It matures at around 7 to 8 cm.
In the wild
The Malayan leaf fish comes from the still and slow-moving fresh waters of Thailand and neighboring parts of Southeast Asia. It lives in vegetated ponds, wetlands and canals rather than fast rivers. There the water is warm and quiet, with plenty of cover.
Common questions
What size tank does a Malayan leaf fish need?
A Malayan leaf fish needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Malayan leaf fish need?
A Malayan leaf fish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a Malayan leaf fish eat?
A Malayan leaf fish eats meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, earthworms and small feeder items. Most take frozen foods readily once settled.
How big does a Malayan leaf fish get?
An adult Malayan leaf fish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
How does a Malayan leaf fish breed?
A Malayan leaf fish is a substrate spawner, but breeding it in the home aquarium is considered difficult.
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