Amazon Leaffish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus)

Fish in the family Polycentridae. Hard care. Freshwater.

Quick facts

Scientific nameMonocirrhus polyacanthus

FamilyPolycentridae

Also known asSouth American Leaffish, Leaf Fish

Care levelHard

Reef safetyFreshwater

TemperamentSemi-aggressive

DietCarnivore

Adult size4 in

Minimum tank size30 gallons

Water parametersTemp 78-86°F, pH 5.0-6.5, GH 1-8 dGH

Appearance

Flat leaf-shaped brown-mottled body with a chin barbel resembling a leaf stalk, faint dark streak through the eye, and a near-invisible transparent rear fin used for stealthy drifting.

Difficulty and care for the Amazon Leaffish

Hard

Origin and habitat

South America (Amazon, Rio Negro)

Keeper notes

A specialized ambush predator that mimics a dead leaf and inhales fish nearly its own length with an enormous protrusible mouth; will eat any tankmate it can engulf and competes poorly with active fish. Keep only with fish too large to eat.

Log Amazon Leaffish in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Amazon Leaffish alongside everything else in your reef.

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