Slow-moving ambush predators are common in fish communities in the wild. Nearly every continent and ocean has a variety of highly adapted fish that have evolved to ambush their prey from close vicinity. Among freshwater species, none does this better than the leaffish. The leaf mimicry is so perfect for predators that leaffish have evolved in South America (genera Monocirrhus and Polycentrus), Africa (genus Afronandus) and Asia (genus Nandus). All have similar body shapes mimicking a fallen leaf and are able to change their color to adapt to their surroundings.

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