Amazon Leaffish
Monocirrhus polyacanthus
Amazon Leaffish is a bottom-to-middle swimmer.
Save this fish or add it directly to one of your aquariums.
Need help with Amazon Leaffish?
Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.
Quick facts
- Adult size
- ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm)
- Aquarium size
- 20 US gal (75 L) or larger / ≥ 29.5" (≥ 75 cm) minimum length
- Care level
- Intermediate – Advanced
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Swimming zone
- Bottom to middle swimmer
- Temperature
- 73–84°F (23–29°C)
- pH
- 5–6.8
- GH
- 1–10 dGH
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Lifespan
- up to 8 years
Care requirements
Care level: Intermediate – Advanced.
Lifespan: up to 8 years.
Aquarium size and space needs
Minimum aquarium size: 20 US gal (75 L) or larger / ≥ 29.5" (≥ 75 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.
Water parameters
Suitable water: temperature 23–29 °C, pH 5–6.8, GH 1–10 dGH.
Temperament and compatibility
Amazon Leaffish needs careful companion choice because it can be territorial or semi-aggressive.
Swimming zone and behavior
This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.
Feeding
Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.
Usually requires live food; juveniles may take live bloodworm or worms, but long-term piscivorous feeding is described. Prepared-food acceptance must not be assumed.
Before adding this fish
- Plan for an aquarium of 20 US gal (75 L) or larger / ≥ 29.5" (≥ 75 cm) minimum length.
- Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
- Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.
Natural habitat and origin
Origin: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela.
Similar fish profiles
Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.
FAQ
How large does Amazon Leaffish get?
Amazon Leaffish reaches ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm).
What aquarium size does Amazon Leaffish need?
Use an aquarium of at least 20 US gal (75 L) or larger / ≥ 29.5" (≥ 75 cm) minimum length.
Is Amazon Leaffish peaceful?
Amazon Leaffish needs more careful companion choice because the temperament data points toward boundaries, space, or similar-sized fish.
What temperature is suitable for Amazon Leaffish?
Keep it between 23 to 29 °C.
