Amazon Leaffish

Monocirrhus polyacanthus

Amazon Leaffish is a bottom-to-middle swimmer.

Semi-AggressiveBottom to middle swimmerIntermediate – Advanced

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: 72–77°F (22–25°C)
pH: 5–6
GH: 5–8 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 22–25 °C, pH 5–6, GH 5–8 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.

Make sure food reaches the substrate before faster fish take it.

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 that matches this species.

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.

Barca Snakehead Channa barca Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 41.3" (≤ 105 cm) 50–82°F (10–28°C) Agassiz’s Apistogramma Apistogramma agassizii Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 3" (≤ 7.5 cm) 72–84°F (22–29°C) Amazon Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma pertensis Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate ≤ 2.8" (≤ 7 cm) 72–84°F (22–29°C) Barlow’s Apistogramma Apistogramma barlowi Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm) 72–84°F (22–29°C) Black Stripe Dwarf Cichlid Taeniacara candidi Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 2.8" (≤ 7 cm) 77–82°F (25–28°C) Blackfin Pearl Killifish Austrolebias nigripinnis Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2" (≤ 5 cm) 63–73°F (17–23°C)

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 22 to 25 °C.