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Bornean leaffish (Nandus nebulosus) — Nandidae

Bornean leaffish

Nandus nebulosus
Family: Nandidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bornean leaffish (Nandus nebulosus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Nandidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Asia
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Bornean leaffish is a small freshwater fish from Southeast Asia, ranging from Thailand to Indonesia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with mottled, brown camouflage that makes it strongly resemble a dead leaf. With its large, far-protrusible mouth it catches small fish and crustaceans as an ambush hunter. It lives in hill streams, peat areas and flooded forests, in fresh and slightly brackish water. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bornean leaffish?

The Bornean leaffish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Mimics a dead leaf; large protrusible mouth for ambush hunting

Where does the Bornean leaffish live?

The Bornean leaffish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeast Asia

How big does the Bornean leaffish get?

The Bornean leaffish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Bornean leaffish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bornean leaffish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bornean leaffish edible?

The Bornean leaffish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bornean leaffish verified
Scientific name
Nandus nebulosus
Family
Nandidae
Other names
Sunda leaf fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Southeast Asia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Ambush predator in vegetated water; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Mimics a dead leaf; large protrusible mouth for ambush hunting sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nandus

More from the family Nandidae

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