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Clown Knifefish

Clown Knifefish, Clown Featherback

Family: Notopteridae Clown Knifefish (albino) Chitala ornataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Pavaphon Supanantananont

   The beautiful Clown Knifefish is probably the most popular species of knifefish in the aquarium hobby!

   It is very popular because of its common availability, relatively low price, and variable pattern of large spots. It seems that no two are exactly alike. They may have no spots at all and sometimes you may find one with two rows of smaller spots.

   Clown Knivefish can grow to a large size but since they are not a particularly active fish, they do not need as large of a tank as you might think. They are generally peaceful and will do well with other fish that are not particularly aggressive and that are too large to fit into the knives mouth.

For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Chitala ornata Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Osteoglossiformes Family: Notopteridae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Clown Knivefish was described by Gray in 1831. They are found in South East Asia; Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam where they inhabit swamplands and the moving waters of medium to large rivers.

• Scientific Name: Chitala ornata
• Social Grouping: Solitary
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The silvery gray body of the Clown Knivefish is flat and elongated with an arched back. It has a continuous fin along the underside formed by a joining of the caudal and anal fin, and has a very small dorsal fin. Their most distinguishing characteristic is a variable pattern of large spots above the base of the anal fin; however, it seems that no two patterns are exactly alike. They may have no spots at all, and sometimes you may find one with two rows of smaller spots. The Clown Knifefish pictured above is an albino color form.

• Maximum Size: 40.0 inches (101.60 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

   The Clown Knifefish are carnivores. In the Aquarium they prefer to eat fresh foods such as worms or small fish, but it is a good idea to do your best to condition them to eat sinking pellets or some other dried food of substance. This will make feeding them much easier and less costly. When shopping for a Clown Knife, avoid fish that are under 3 inches or over 6 inches. The smaller ones are relatively delicate and the larger ones can be harder to get feeding. .
   These are usually offered for sale at a size of 3 to 6 inches and many hobbyists have unknowingly bought a pet they weren't prepared to keep. That cute little 3 inch fish can grow to over 3 feet long but in an aquarium, 10 to 20 inches is usually the maximum size. If you plan on keeping one for a long time in good condition, be prepared to setup a 100 gallon tank.

• Diet Type: Carnivore
• Flake Food: No
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Most of Diet
• Meaty Food: All of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Daily

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Monthly

Aquarium Setup

   Temp: 75 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)
   Hardness: 2 - 10 dGH
   pH 5.5 to 7.0

• Minimum Tank Size: 200 gal (757 L)
• Suitable for Nano Tank: No
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
• Temperature: 75.0 - 82.0° F (23.9 - 27.8° C)
• Range ph: 5.5-7.0
• Hardness Range: 2 - 10 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Weak
• Water Region: Bottom - Clown Knifefish will spend most of their time in the middle or near the bottom of the tank, but they may occasionally go to the surface to grab a gulp of air or a meal.

Social Behaviors

   They are generally peaceful but due to their large size, they will eat any tank mates small enough to fit into their large mouths.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Monitor - While it is not necessarily aggressive, it will eat anything small enough to be considered a meal.
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat - is aggressive - In the wild, this fish hunts at night for worms, crustaceans, insects and snails.
  • Plants: Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

   Sexual differences are unknown.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Captive breeding is possible but this probably won't happen unless the fish are kept in a very large tank. In this case, that means 500 gallons or more. The pair will usually lay their eggs on floating plants and the male will aggressively guard them until they hatch in 6 or 7 days. The fry should be moved into a rearing tank and fed baby brine shrimp until they are large enough to take other foods.

• Ease of Propagation: Difficult

Availability

   Clown Knifefish are commonly available.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: Ken Childs

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Lastest Comments on Clown Knifefish View all 29 comments on Clown Knifefish Add Your Comment

Art walton - 2011-01-27 I have a clown knife, her name is Peggy, that is 7 yrs old and 26 inches long. She's been in a150 gallon tank for the last five years. I've been traveling a lot for work and am always concerned about her. I'd like to sell her to somebody who well enjoy her a much as I have. My question is how much should I ask for her? Click For Replies (4) CHRIS - 2011-02-19 Very much would like to have her 847-532-9838 will pay for shipping. Charles - 2011-03-25 Do you still have her? Manda - 2011-10-08 $85 or more timmy - 2011-10-13 How much do you want that fish, let me know or tell me where can I buy that fish Thanks Timmy Reply

carmine - 2012-01-03 I have had a clown knife fish for three years now and today found eggs in the tank. It is the only fish in the tank. Is this possible? I would think that they are infertile since there is no male fish. They are round clear balls with white membrane in them. I guess what I'm trying to ask is; they are eggs right? Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-03 My guess based on your description is that they are eggs. However, you are right, they would be infertile. Females can lay eggs and do not need a male to do this. The eggs are just infertile. Think about chickens - they just lay eggs. With no rooster - they are just infertile eggs but the chickens will sit them anyway but no baby chick in there. carmine - 2012-01-03 Thanks, that's what I thought. Alex Burleson - 2012-01-04 If it is the only fish in the tank, your best bet is that they came from the Clown Knife Fish, in your aquarium. However, if you have invertebrates such as shrimp, or crabs in the aquarium you can assume the eggs are from them. Knife Fish, are not commonly bred in the home aquarium. If they are from the Knife Fish, they are therefore, sadly infertile and will not hatch. Reply

Collin - 2009-08-17 Just a side note to what I read on the comments. I had a Clown Knife Fish that was 14 inches long and its favorite food was 2 inch gold fish. I would be careful with the choice of small tank mates. Click For Replies (2) steve - 2011-01-24 Hi there I've just bought 2 clown knife fish about 4 inches they have cleared my tank guppies etc I've now done my research and knos a bit more about them. I've got 2 spotted puffers left in the tank with them they don't seem to bother each other do you think I should separate them? thanks steve John - 2011-12-15 Clown knife fish will eat anything that can fit in their mouth. so anything smaller don't.. And clown knife fish is not a community fish, BUT you can put them to any fish that is bigger than them, Some people put Arowana or Oscar as a tankmate. Reply

scollinz - 2011-06-27 I have a 13 inch Clown Knife fish I am looking to sell. If interested, email me and I can send you pics. Great fish and loves to eat! Reply

Tan Hui Chun - 2011-01-30 I discover my clown knife fish's body and fin (below) have white spot. It seems like rotten. I discover it already death in the next day. What is the problem? Can anyone tell me? Thanks. Click For Replies (1) david - 2011-06-12 White Spots all over the body is the major symptom of Ich. It can be treated by raising the temperature to 80*F. If it doesn't go away after a few days you can use a medication specifically designed to treat Ich. If the medication contains copper use it half dose as copper is extremely dangerous to scaleless fish like the Clown Knifefish. Hope this helps. Reply

david - 2011-06-12 Could I keep a Clown Knifefish in a 55 gallon aquarium? The tank will have subdued lighting and be lightly planted with cryptocorne, Java Fern and Java Moss. There will be numerous hiding places created by bogwood and rocks. I would also like to add a Red-tailed Black Shark, among other Southeast Asian fish. Would this work out? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-06-13 It doesn't sound like a real good idea. The shark fish tail would eaily fit into the Knifefish mouth and the Knifefish can grow to 11 pounds. Clownfish are the quieter of the two and usually don't cause problems but will eat anything they can fit in their mouth. But the sharks are agressive and could tease or want territory and there would be the problem. Reply

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