Indonesian Leaffish
Nandus nebulosus
The Indonesian Leaffish (Nandus nebulosus) is a peaceful fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Southeast Asia
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Indonesian Leaffish Tank Setup
A tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 75-82°F with a pH around 6-7.5, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Mid-bottom).
What Do Indonesian Leaffish Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Indonesian Leaffish Tank Mates
Will eat small tankmates; prefers dim lighting The Indonesian Leaffish is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Indonesian Leaffish Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Indonesian Leaffish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Indonesian Leaffish need?
Indonesian Leaffish need a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Indonesian Leaffish need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Indonesian Leaffish eat?
Indonesian Leaffish are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Indonesian Leaffish good for beginners?
Indonesian Leaffish are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Indonesian Leaffish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 100 litres (26 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Indonesian Leaffish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Pygmy CoryIncompatible temperament or care requirements
