A master of camouflage that perfectly mimics a dead leaf drifting in the water. This species is an extreme ambush predator with a protruding jaw that can swallow prey up to 75% of its own size. It is a 'specialist' species because nearly all specimens require live food (small fish/shrimp) and refuse dry or frozen foods. Requires acidic, blackwater conditions and zero flow.
Amazon Leaf Fish At a Glance
Amazon Leaf Fish Tank Requirements
Will Amazon Leaf Fish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Amazon Leaf Fish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Amazon Leaf Fish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
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Amazon Leaf Fish Water Parameters
Water care products
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Amazon Leaf Fish Temperament & Compatibility
Amazon Leaf Fish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The wild-type form. Color changes to match surroundings (brown, yellow, gray). Must be kept with tankmates too large to be swallowed, or alone. Extremely peaceful towards anything it cannot eat.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Amazon Leaf Fish Care Guide Summary
The Amazon Leaf Fish, scientifically known as Monocirrhus polyacanthus, belongs to the Other family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 8 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and surface zones of the aquarium and produces a high level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Amazon Leaf Fish requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 23°C and 29°C, with a pH range of 5–6.8 and a general hardness of 0–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the Amazon Leaf Fish is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. The Amazon Leaf Fish is typically available in one standard form.
Amazon Leaf Fish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Amazon Leaf Fish, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and surface zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include driftwood, which can serve as both a hiding place and a dietary supplement, leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat, dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress, and floating plants to diffuse overhead light and create shaded areas.
Amazon Leaf Fish Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Amazon Leaf Fish is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, any fish small enough to fit in its mouth will likely be eaten, ornamental shrimp are not safe companions, and boisterous or fast-moving tankmates may cause this species undue stress. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and surface zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Amazon Leaf Fish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Amazon Leaf Fish.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
Show 17 more tank sizes
Amazon Leaf Fish Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Amazon Leaf Fish is a predatory species that will readily consume small fish, so nano or bite-sized tankmates should be avoided, will hunt and eat ornamental shrimp, making it unsuitable for shrimp-focused setups, will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed, and is primarily active at dusk and dawn, so offering food shortly after lights-off ensures it receives adequate nutrition.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Leaf Fish
How big does Amazon Leaf Fish get?
Amazon Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 8 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Amazon Leaf Fish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Amazon Leaf Fish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Amazon Leaf Fish need?
Amazon Leaf Fish thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 23–29°C, a pH between 5 and 6.8, and a general hardness of 0–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is Amazon Leaf Fish peaceful or aggressive?
Amazon Leaf Fish is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
Can Amazon Leaf Fish live alone?
Yes, Amazon Leaf Fish can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Is Amazon Leaf Fish safe with shrimp?
No. Amazon Leaf Fish is known to eat ornamental shrimp and is not recommended for shrimp tanks. Even larger shrimp species like Amano Shrimp may be at risk.
Does Amazon Leaf Fish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Amazon Leaf Fish benefits from leaf litter/blackwater, plants - densely covered, driftwood (digestion/hiding), and plants - floating in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Amazon Leaf Fish
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Amazon Leaf Fish based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Half Banded Spiny Eel
Macrognathus circumcinctus
Ideal Tank MatesMarbled Whiptail
Loricaria simillima
Ideal Tank MatesLoricaria spinulifera
Loricaria spinulifera
Ideal Tank MatesCrying Whiptail
Loricaria sp. "Rio Atabapo"
Ideal Tank MatesLoricaria pumila (Dwarf Whiptail Catfish)
Loricaria pumila
Ideal Tank MatesParnahyba Whiptail Catfish
Loricaria parnahybae
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Amazon Leaf Fish
These plants pair well with Amazon Leaf Fish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Carolina Mosquito Fern
Azolla caroliniana
Common Duckweed
Lemna minor
Crystalwort
Riccia fluitans
Fish Similar to Amazon Leaf Fish
Gangetic Leaf Fish
Nandus nandus
An ambush predator native to South Asia, the Gangetic Leaf Fish relies on its mottled camouflage to mimic dead leaves. It has a remarkably large, protrusible mouth and is strictly piscivorous, swallowing smaller fish whole. It requires a dimly lit tank with low flow, heavy planting, and leaf litter to feel secure. Due to its highly predatory nature, it must only be housed with fish too large to be eaten.
Frogmouth Catfish
Chaca chaca
An incredibly bizarre ambush predator native to South Asia. With a massive, flat head and cryptic coloration, they perfectly mimic a dead leaf or piece of wood. They are entirely sedentary, moving only to gulp down prey that wanders too close to their cavernous mouths. Because they can easily consume fish up to half their own length, tank mates must be chosen with extreme caution.
Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma)
Ctenopoma acutirostre
A fascinating, ancient African anabantoid that mimics a dead leaf to ambush prey. They possess a surprisingly large, extendable mouth. While slow-moving and generally peaceful towards fish too large to swallow, they are efficient predators of small fish and invertebrates. They are crepuscular (active at twilight) and require structure (wood/plants) to feel secure.
Loricaria lundbergi
Loricaria lundbergi
A slender, highly camouflaged whiptail catfish native to the deep, blackwater river channels of the Rio Negro and Rio Madeira basins. Unlike many suckermouth catfish, they are primarily insectivores and detritivores, actively sifting through the substrate for aquatic insect larvae rather than eating algae. They are peaceful, facultative air-breathers that require a soft sand substrate to prevent damage to their delicate mouths.
Whiptail Catfish
Rineloricaria sp.
A highly cryptic, peaceful, and extremely slender catfish that mimics a twig or dead leaf. They are excellent scavengers and biofilm grazers that require smooth sand and driftwood to thrive. They are completely non-aggressive, lack the heavy armor of larger plecos, and do well in peaceful community setups.
Bumblebee Goby (Brackish)
Brachygobius xanthozonus
A miniature, bottom-dwelling goby famous for its striking black and yellow stripes. While they are often sold as freshwater fish and can survive in it temporarily, they are highly susceptible to fungal infections in fresh water and truly require a brackish setup (SG 1.002-1.005) to thrive long-term. They are notoriously picky eaters, often ignoring flakes in favor of live or frozen foods (like bloodworms or brine shrimp).