Leaf Fish

In the animal world, its kill or be killed. Many animals develop weaponry or aggressive behaviour to defend them selves against predators. But not the leaf fish!

Leaf fish are a diverse group found in Asia (Nandidae), South America (Polycentridae) and Africa (Polycentropsis abbreviata; Barlow, 1967; Catarino & Zuanon, 2010).

In this weeks blog post I will focus on the South American species observed in and around the Amazon basin.

WATCH: Build for The Kill – Leaf Fish

These amazingly deceptive fish camouflage themselves into streams, lakes and rivers by mimicking leaves. With a laterally compressed body shape, mottled patterns and colours, leaf fish remain hidden from predators. Their camouflage efforts even go as far as forming an extended filament in the lower jaw to resemble a petiole (a must-have for any leaf related costume). Seemingly harmless, the fish can go completely undetected by prey until they strike with their large protractile mouths (Barlow, 1967; Catarino & Zuanon, 2010).

References:

Barlow, G.W. 1967, "Social Behavior of a South American Leaf Fish, Polycentrus schomburgkii, with an Account of Recurring Pseudofemale Behavior", American Midland Naturalist, vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 215-234.

Catarino, M.F. & Zuanon, J. 2010, "Feeding ecology of the leaf fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus (Perciformes: Polycentridae) in a terra firme stream in the Brazilian Amazon", Neotropical Ichthyology, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 183-186.