I'm looking towards in owning a leaf fish and add it to a tank -- do you guys suggest if I pick up the leaf fish, to leave it by itself or can i place it in my community tank?
the community tank consists of barbs and gourami
also do you guys know what fish are compatible with a leaf fish?
I have mine in a 55 gallon with full grown Congo tetra, a pair of Pearl gouramis and a pleco with no problems. Anything small such as neons or guppies will probably get eaten.
I've done the same research. What size tank do you have? I was looking at doing the leaf fish in a large tank with tiger barbs as well. I am personally under the impression it can work in the right size tank with proper aquascaping. I've also never had personal experience with the fish so it is just my opinion.
I'm planning to get a 55 Gal stand alone and put 2 african and 2 SA leaf Fish inside (iknow they are both from opposite sides of the world, but I think it may workout with the right aquascape -- dunno if I should go soft or hardwater?
The South American Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus Polyacanthus) likes soft, acidic water with Ph of 5-6.5 and hardness of 2-10dh. The African Leaf fish (Ctenopoma Acutirostre) Ph of 6-8 and hardness of 5-12dh. I don't have any experience with the SA so not sure how they will do together.
Wow. That's a lot of gouramis. Just watch out for how big the leaf fish's mouth can get. It might eat some of the smaller gouramis, but if they can't fit in its mouth they will be okay. Leaf fish eat by sucking in their prey, so anything smaller than about 3 or 4 tetras put together will probably get eaten.
Also, this fish will only take live foods, so make sure your budget can handle it!
I got my Cteno from Petsmart and she has eaten prepared food from day one. She's not picky and eats flake, pellets, frozen and of course live (ghost shrimp and homegrown guppy fry). Not sure about the SA Leaf fish though. Check with the LFS to see what they are feeding them.
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