Leaffishes are small freshwater fishes of the
Polycentridae familyIn biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus...
, from South America.
They usually have large heads, cryptic colors and very large protractile mouths. Those features, along with their peculiar movements help them to catch fairly large prey for the size of their bodies, including small fish, aquatic insects and other
invertebrateAn invertebrate is an animal without a vertebral column. The group includes 95% of all animal species — all animals except those in the Chordate subphylum Vertebrata ....
s.
Their odd leaf-like appearance make them interesting fishes for aquarium hobbyists.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Polycentridae' Start a new discussion about 'Polycentridae' Answer questions from other users |
Leaffishes are small freshwater fishes of the
Polycentridae familyIn biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus...
, from South America.
They usually have large heads, cryptic colors and very large protractile mouths. Those features, along with their peculiar movements help them to catch fairly large prey for the size of their bodies, including small fish, aquatic insects and other
invertebrateAn invertebrate is an animal without a vertebral column. The group includes 95% of all animal species — all animals except those in the Chordate subphylum Vertebrata ....
s.
Their odd leaf-like appearance make them interesting fishes for aquarium hobbyists. That is likely because of their unique
lifestyle, hanging around in the upper story of the tank imitating the leaves that commonly fall in temperate rivers were it typically lives.
Genera and species
- Genus Monocirrhus
Monocirrhus polyacanthus Heckel, 1840
Genus Polycentrus
- Polycentrus schomburgkii Müller & Troschel, 1849
Taxonomic note
Polycentrus schomburgkii was formerly included in the
NandidaeAsian leaffishes are small freshwater fishes of the Nandidae family, from Southern Asia. There are only four genera in this group.They usually have small heads, coloration that appear evolved to resemble leaves and very large protractile mouths...
family, leaf fish of Southern Asia.