Common & Latin Name: Clown Knife Fish - Chitala ornata
Care level: Easy
Max Size: 100cm
Temp: 20-28°C
PH: 6-8
Approximate purchase size: 7-8cm
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Non-Community
The Clown Knife Fish is a striking predator originating from the Mekong River and its surrounds. It is a nocturnal fish and an obligate predator that can grow to enormous proportions and is therefore not suitable for most home aquariums. It is a surprisingly peaceful fish, given its diet and size.
The aquarium should be a minimum of 900L to accommodate this fish and equipped with excellent filtration to handle the waste from the high protein diet of this fish. Subdued lighting is recommended, alongside plenty of wood, rocks and pipes for the fish to use as hiding places. Regular water changes are absolutely essential, especially as this is a scaleless species and can be more susceptible to external infections and parasites. Flow should be moderate and the water should be highly oxygenated. A tight fitting lid is also essential as knife fish are notorious jumpers.
Though this fish is not particularly aggressive, tank mates should be chosen carefully to ensure that they are not small enough to be considered prey. Other knife fish and similar looking fish should also be avoided as this species is highly territorial towards their own kind.
Food should be largely meat based. Juveniles can be fed mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood like krill, mussel or cockle. Adults should be given these seafoods whole and lancefish. Avoid feeding them anything land based (beef heart, chicken etc) as they are not able to process some of the lipids contained in these meats. Feeder fish and other live things should never be fed to pet fish. It is both cruel and rife with risk of contaminating your pet fish with diseases and parasites.
If you have any questions about keeping these fish and whether they're suitable for you, please contact us and a member of our friendly store team will be more than happy to answer all of your questions
Why not check out our other photos of some of the best livestock to have graced our tanks!
