Bubble-nester, rarely bred: the male builds one or more bubble nests among surface plants, and the pair spawns into the nest. Remove the parents after hatching, or they may eat the fry.
A pair in a quiet tank.
80 L planted tank with leaf litter and floating plants.
Warm water and live foods.
Over 100 eggs in the bubble nest; they hatch in 48-72 hours, and the fry need live food such as brine shrimp nauplii from birth.
Fry feed on live brine shrimp.
One breeding tank for the african leaffish, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 26–31 °C · pH 6–6.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 8 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the african leaffish in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 400 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Hard to sex. Females are said to have a curved belly line that is straight in males (Baensch, unconfirmed); the female turns paler when spawning.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.