African Leaf Fish - Aquarium Advice

fishmonger · 12-12-2004, 04:48 PM

Does anyone know about these fish? I was wondering if they can go with Mbuna Cichlids. The leaf fish gets to be about 6in and and is agressive as well. Anyone have any info on this really good looking fish?

Toirtis · 12-12-2004, 04:58 PM

I would not suggest it as the water parameters that they do best in differ....Polycentropsis abbreviata prefers a pH of 6.0-7.0, whereas your Malawis do best at around 8.0....as well the cichlids are a lake fish, wheras the P. abbreviata is found in slow moving streams and rainforest ponds.

TankGirl · 12-12-2004, 07:45 PM

They are way cool fish and are often difficult to get to eat, so sometimes people have trouble keeping them. I believe there is a "false" one and a "real" one so if you decide to set up a soft, acidic tank for one you might want to research what you are getting.

fishmonger · 12-12-2004, 08:16 PM

What do you mean by a "false" one and a "real" one? Another question... Has anyone ever kept them with cichlids?

fishmonger · 12-12-2004, 08:24 PM

It looks like this. Is this the same fish? http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1030

cdawson · 12-12-2004, 09:03 PM

are you sure it's not this leaf fish, which is from South america NOT africa.

The other post is the african leaf fish, but is actually named the spotted climbing perch.

Fruitbat · 12-12-2004, 09:14 PM

OK....to set a couple of things straight:

1) There are TWO 'true' African Leaf Fish.....one is Polycentropsis abbreviata (which Toirtis mentioned)....and the other is the 'Four Spined African Leaf Fish which is Afronandus sheljuzhkoi. These fish are both Nandids.

2) There is the fish that PetsMart is now selling as 'Spotted African Leaf Fish'. These are Ctenopoma acutirostre, also called the Leopard Bush Fish. They are predatory African anabantids (related to gouramis).

3) None of these fish are found in the African Rift Lakes (like Tanganyika or Malawi) and will not do well in the hard, alkaline conditions that fish from those lakes prefer.

4) None of these fish is particularly aggressive and will do well in community tanks with fish they cannot swallow. HOWEVER....do NOT underestimate the capacity of these fish!! Polycentropsis and Afronandus are both capable of swallowing a fish 1/3 or better of their own size.

5) I would not, personally, try keeping any of these fish with larger cichlids. They (the Leaf Fish) would probably be bullied unmercifully. I have kept Polycentropsis successfully with 'kribensis'-type cichlids.

-Joe

Toirtis · 12-12-2004, 09:16 PM

That is the first time I have seen Ctenopoma acutiroste referred to as a 'false leaf fish'....usually that name is reserved for another, closely related African Nanid, Polycentrus schomburki.

Fruitbat · 12-12-2004, 09:34 PM

Oooooooooh!! Gotcha Toirtis!!!

Polycentrus schomburgki is a South American Nandid!!

I do agree that Ctenopoma acutirostre should NOT be called a Leaf Fish of any sort but that's what PetsMart is selling them as right now. Of course....they're also the nits that started referring to Polypterus senegalus as 'Dinosaur Eels'.

-Joe

Fruitbat · 12-12-2004, 09:41 PM

On a side note, Toirtis (not to hijack this thread)....Wes over at Rarefish has some African Nandids coming in tomorrow at my request. Should be either Polycentropsis or Afronandus or maybe even both! Check his post at Aquatic Predators. My name is already on THAT list!!

-Joe

12-12-2004, 04:48 PM	#1
fishmonger Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seminole, FL Posts: 74	African Leaf Fish Does anyone know about these fish? I was wondering if they can go with Mbuna Cichlids. The leaf fish gets to be about 6in and and is agressive as well. Anyone have any info on this really good looking fish?

12-12-2004, 04:58 PM	#2
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	I would not suggest it as the water parameters that they do best in differ....Polycentropsis abbreviata prefers a pH of 6.0-7.0, whereas your Malawis do best at around 8.0....as well the cichlids are a lake fish, wheras the P. abbreviata is found in slow moving streams and rainforest ponds. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-12-2004, 07:45 PM	#3
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	They are way cool fish and are often difficult to get to eat, so sometimes people have trouble keeping them. I believe there is a "false" one and a "real" one so if you decide to set up a soft, acidic tank for one you might want to research what you are getting. __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

12-12-2004, 09:03 PM	#6
cdawson Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 431	are you sure it's not this leaf fish, which is from South america NOT africa. The other post is the african leaf fish, but is actually named the spotted climbing perch. __________________ "Hey dad! your bettas looked lonely so I put them in a tank together!"

12-12-2004, 09:14 PM	#7
Fruitbat Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Garland,Texas Posts: 1,818 Images: 30	OK....to set a couple of things straight: 1) There are TWO 'true' African Leaf Fish.....one is Polycentropsis abbreviata (which Toirtis mentioned)....and the other is the 'Four Spined African Leaf Fish which is Afronandus sheljuzhkoi. These fish are both Nandids. 2) There is the fish that PetsMart is now selling as 'Spotted African Leaf Fish'. These are Ctenopoma acutirostre, also called the Leopard Bush Fish. They are predatory African anabantids (related to gouramis). 3) None of these fish are found in the African Rift Lakes (like Tanganyika or Malawi) and will not do well in the hard, alkaline conditions that fish from those lakes prefer. 4) None of these fish is particularly aggressive and will do well in community tanks with fish they cannot swallow. HOWEVER....do NOT underestimate the capacity of these fish!! Polycentropsis and Afronandus are both capable of swallowing a fish 1/3 or better of their own size. 5) I would not, personally, try keeping any of these fish with larger cichlids. They (the Leaf Fish) would probably be bullied unmercifully. I have kept Polycentropsis successfully with 'kribensis'-type cichlids. -Joe __________________ Loaches: Botia almorhae, B. kubotai, B. striata, Noemacheilus triangularis, Schistura sp.aff.nicholsi, S. vinciguerre, Sinibotia robusta, Vaillantella maassi Bichirs: Polypterus senegalus, P. senegalus (albino), P. delhezi, P. sp. 'Congo', P. palmas polli, P.weeksii, P. ornatipinnis, P. palmas buettikoferi, P. retropinnis, P. endlicheri congicus, Polypterus bichir lapradei, P. palmas palmas, Erpetoichthys calabaricus Anabantids: Ctenopoma acutirostre, Ct. ocellatum, Ct. oxyrhynchum, Ct. kingsleyae, Microctenopoma ansorgii, Mct. fasciolatum, Trichogaster trichopterus, Belontia signata, B. hasselti, Anabas testudineus, Macropodus opercularis, Betta splendens Catfish: Dekeyseria sp. (L-052)Sturiosoma panamense, Hypancistrus inspector (L-201), Synodontis eupterus, Synodontis nigrita, Synodontis brichardi, Synodontis soloni, Anaspidoglanis macrostoma Barbs/Rasboras: Capoeta tetrazona, Rasbora borapetensis, Labeo cyclorhynchus Tetras: Phenacogrammus interruptus Other: Xenomystus nigri, Papyrocranus afer, Pantodon buchholzi, Oxymormyrus boulengeri, Protopterus annectens andPhractolaemus ansorgei

12-12-2004, 08:16 PM	#4
fishmonger Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seminole, FL Posts: 74	What do you mean by a "false" one and a "real" one? Another question... Has anyone ever kept them with cichlids?

12-12-2004, 08:24 PM	#5
fishmonger Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seminole, FL Posts: 74	It looks like this. Is this the same fish? http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1030

12-12-2004, 09:16 PM	#8
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	That is the first time I have seen Ctenopoma acutiroste referred to as a 'false leaf fish'....usually that name is reserved for another, closely related African Nanid, Polycentrus schomburki. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-12-2004, 09:34 PM	#9
Fruitbat Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Garland,Texas Posts: 1,818 Images: 30	Oooooooooh!! Gotcha Toirtis!!! Polycentrus schomburgki is a South American Nandid!! I do agree that Ctenopoma acutirostre should NOT be called a Leaf Fish of any sort but that's what PetsMart is selling them as right now. Of course....they're also the nits that started referring to Polypterus senegalus as 'Dinosaur Eels'. -Joe __________________ Loaches: Botia almorhae, B. kubotai, B. striata, Noemacheilus triangularis, Schistura sp.aff.nicholsi, S. vinciguerre, Sinibotia robusta, Vaillantella maassi Bichirs: Polypterus senegalus, P. senegalus (albino), P. delhezi, P. sp. 'Congo', P. palmas polli, P.weeksii, P. ornatipinnis, P. palmas buettikoferi, P. retropinnis, P. endlicheri congicus, Polypterus bichir lapradei, P. palmas palmas, Erpetoichthys calabaricus Anabantids: Ctenopoma acutirostre, Ct. ocellatum, Ct. oxyrhynchum, Ct. kingsleyae, Microctenopoma ansorgii, Mct. fasciolatum, Trichogaster trichopterus, Belontia signata, B. hasselti, Anabas testudineus, Macropodus opercularis, Betta splendens Catfish: Dekeyseria sp. (L-052)Sturiosoma panamense, Hypancistrus inspector (L-201), Synodontis eupterus, Synodontis nigrita, Synodontis brichardi, Synodontis soloni, Anaspidoglanis macrostoma Barbs/Rasboras: Capoeta tetrazona, Rasbora borapetensis, Labeo cyclorhynchus Tetras: Phenacogrammus interruptus Other: Xenomystus nigri, Papyrocranus afer, Pantodon buchholzi, Oxymormyrus boulengeri, Protopterus annectens andPhractolaemus ansorgei

12-12-2004, 09:41 PM	#10
Fruitbat Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Garland,Texas Posts: 1,818 Images: 30	On a side note, Toirtis (not to hijack this thread)....Wes over at Rarefish has some African Nandids coming in tomorrow at my request. Should be either Polycentropsis or Afronandus or maybe even both! Check his post at Aquatic Predators. My name is already on THAT list!! -Joe __________________ Loaches: Botia almorhae, B. kubotai, B. striata, Noemacheilus triangularis, Schistura sp.aff.nicholsi, S. vinciguerre, Sinibotia robusta, Vaillantella maassi Bichirs: Polypterus senegalus, P. senegalus (albino), P. delhezi, P. sp. 'Congo', P. palmas polli, P.weeksii, P. ornatipinnis, P. palmas buettikoferi, P. retropinnis, P. endlicheri congicus, Polypterus bichir lapradei, P. palmas palmas, Erpetoichthys calabaricus Anabantids: Ctenopoma acutirostre, Ct. ocellatum, Ct. oxyrhynchum, Ct. kingsleyae, Microctenopoma ansorgii, Mct. fasciolatum, Trichogaster trichopterus, Belontia signata, B. hasselti, Anabas testudineus, Macropodus opercularis, Betta splendens Catfish: Dekeyseria sp. (L-052)Sturiosoma panamense, Hypancistrus inspector (L-201), Synodontis eupterus, Synodontis nigrita, Synodontis brichardi, Synodontis soloni, Anaspidoglanis macrostoma Barbs/Rasboras: Capoeta tetrazona, Rasbora borapetensis, Labeo cyclorhynchus Tetras: Phenacogrammus interruptus Other: Xenomystus nigri, Papyrocranus afer, Pantodon buchholzi, Oxymormyrus boulengeri, Protopterus annectens andPhractolaemus ansorgei

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