Description
Amazon Leaf Fish – The Ultimate Master of Disguise
(Monocirrhus polyacanthus)
The Amazon Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus) is one of nature’s most incredible examples of camouflage and predatory adaptation. Native to the slow-moving blackwater creeks and flooded forests of the Amazon Basin, this species mimics a dead leaf with uncanny accuracy—complete with a laterally flattened body, mottled brown coloration, and a drifting, motionless swimming style. A dream fish for oddball enthusiasts and biotope aquarists!
Key Features:
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Incredible Camouflage: Perfectly imitates a fallen leaf, down to its color, posture, and movement
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Ambush Predator: Uses stealth to surprise small prey with a lightning-fast strike
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Compact Size: Typically grows to 8–10 cm (3–4 inches)
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Truly Unique: Rare in the hobby and captivating to watch
Tank Requirements:
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Minimum tank size: 75 liters (20+ gallons)
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Temperature: 24°C–28°C (75°F–82°F)
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pH: 5.5–7.0 (soft, acidic blackwater preferred)
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Provide dim lighting, leaf litter, and dense vegetation for a natural environment
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Gentle filtration to mimic calm, slow-moving waters
Compatibility:
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Best kept alone or with peaceful, non-competitive species
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Not suitable with small fish—it will eat anything that fits in its mouth
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Thrives in a single-species tank or blackwater community with appropriate tankmates like pencilfish or hatchetfish
Feeding Tips:
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Strict carnivore—feeds primarily on live foods like small fish, shrimp, or insects
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May accept frozen foods with effort, but live prey triggers natural hunting behavior
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Feed every other day to avoid overfeeding and maintain hunting instincts
Why Choose the Amazon Leaf Fish?
With its leaf-like disguise and ambush predation tactics, the Amazon Leaf Fish is a living curiosity and a conversation piece in any tank. Best suited for advanced aquarists, it offers a deep dive into the subtle beauty and complexity of Amazonian life.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
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