Amazon leaffish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus)

Scientific name: Monocirrhus polyacanthus Heckel, 1840

Amazon leaffish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus)

The Amazon leaffish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus) is a freshwater fish of the family Polycentridae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). It is difficult to keep and semi-aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–6.5. Native range: South America, Amazon River basin in Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, and Venezuela.

Amazon leaffish care at a glance

Care level
Difficult
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
10 cm (3.9 in)
Minimum tank
75 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH
6.0–6.5
Hardness
5–8 dGH (89–143 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts live foods.

Species facts

Scientific name
Monocirrhus polyacanthus
Family
Polycentridae (Leaffishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
8.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 5.0 - 6.0; dH range: 5 - 8 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon River basin in Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, and Venezuela.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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