All fish / Scorpaenidae

Leaf Scorpionfish

Taenianotus triacanthus

Also known as leaf fish, paperfish, leaf scorpion, sailfin leaffish, three-spined scorpionfish, leaf scorpionfish, ハナオコゼ, 三棘高身鲉, 枯叶鱼

This is a small, flattened scorpionfish with a tall sail-like dorsal fin. It comes in many colours from yellow and pink to brown, black or white. It sways from side to side so it looks like a drifting leaf, and keepers love it for this odd behaviour and its camouflage. It also sheds its skin regularly, which is fascinating to watch.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair

Diet

Carnivore: live or thawed mysis, small shrimp and small fish, often taken only live at first

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Galápagos, including Hawaii

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs that drift in the open water. Captive breeding is very rare and the larvae are not reared in home aquariums.

Good to know

Its fin spines carry venom and can give a painful sting, so take care when working in the tank. It will eat small fish and shrimp, and it should not be kept with fast or nippy tankmates that take all the food or pick at it.