| Range: |
Tropical South America |
| Habitat: |
Rivers, streams |
| Conservation Status: |
Not listed by IUCN |
| Scientific Name: |
Monocirrhus polycanthus |
For many animals, avoiding the enemy is a matter of hide and seek, and the South American leaf fish is particularly good at the game.
This clever fish is a master of disguise, able to hide from both its enemies and its prey. As its name would suggest, it resembles a dead leaf floating in the water. Though the leaf fish has the ability to change its color to match its surrounding, its body is typically mottled brown in color, with a flattened leaf shape and a tapered snout. It even seems to sport a "leaf stalk" protruding from its lower jaw.
The leaf fish lives in the rivers and streams of tropical South America. It floats head down, motionless and unnoticed in the water, until it spots unsuspecting prey. Then it darts into action, opens its large mouth, and sucks in its meal. Its primary food source is other fish, though it also eats insects and crustaceans.
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