Get a Huge Tank

All fish

Amazon Leaffish

Monocirrhus polyacanthus

Freshwater South America

A master of disguise mimicking a dead leaf drifting down the riverbed, complete with a chin stalk like a stem. This stealthy ambush predator engulfs fish nearly half its size using extensible jaws. Keepers must be prepared to feed them strictly live foods, as they steadfastly refuse prepared alternatives.

Also called: Amazon leaffish, Barbeled leaf fish, South American Leaf Fish, South American leaf-fish.

8 cm adult length, drawn to scale. deep body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 8 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 100 L, at least 80 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 25 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 23 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 5 to 6.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 1 to 6, KH 0 to 3 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Predator Territorial: weak.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 5 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Experienced keepers only A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Amazon Leaffish is an fish eater that swims in the middle of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.