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Clown Knifefish

Clown Featherback Family: Notopteridae

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Clown Knifefish (albino) Chitala ornata Photo © 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

Distribution:
   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.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

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.

Size - Weight:
   In the wild these fish have a maximum length of about 3¼ feet (100 cm) and a weight of about 11 pounds (5 kg), but most tank raise specimens won't grow much larger than 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm).

Care 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.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   Clown Knifefish will spend most of their time in the middle or near the bottom of they tank, but they may occasionally go to the surface to grab a gulp of air or a meal.

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

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.

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.

Availability:
   Clown Knifefish are commonly available.

Author: Ken Childs

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Latest Comments
I purchased my clown knife (named "Buck") about four months ago. He was only about 3 1/2 inches long at that time. He is now 12 inches long. He is very friendly. Comes to the top of the tank when I approach as if he knows he's getting fed. He is in a 125 gallon tank along with a Shovel nosed Catfish, 3ea. 4-6" discus Fish, a 5" silver arowana and 4ea. 5-7" plecos. They all get along beautifully. This is just one of six tanks that I have in my home. Theresa 2009-05-26
Back for an update, well my Clown Knife that I got few weeks ago is doing fine and its in my 30 gallon now. It's kinda shy around me still, which is fine and natural. Also it's with the 2 Kissing Gourami's, 4 fiddler crabs, my pleco(6inches now), some gold fish and my puffer, all doing well! Asian Fisherman5893 2008-10-10
Hello there again its Lan Phan, I recently purchased a six inch Royal Clownknife from a local pet store here in Florida where I live. I paid about fifty dollars for he or she but it was well worth it since they are kinda hard to find anywhere. My goal is to ween it off live foods and instead feed it dried foods with much more nutrients. I'll keep you all posted on future updates and oh yeah, he or she is in my 1600 gallon aquarium. Lan Phan 2008-10-06
Today I got a Clown Knife and it's getting along with my Oscar, Tyke, which I think is very cool to see and they like to stay around each other looking for food, they actually just sit. I put a cup in the tank too, to make a small home for it until it gets bigger. It's about 7inches now and with the Oscar. They are both in the 120 gallon with a Black Finned Shark, a Puffer Figure Eight, and a few fiddler crabs, and all getting along well! Asian Fisherman5893 2008-10-02
I got my clown knifefish about a year ago from one of my dad's friends. I don't really know much about the fish, but its extraordinary. I call the fish "Misfit". I don't know how old the fish is or how long it will live, but I'm assuming its still young. Misfit is about a foot long. yup. :] Tracie 2008-06-10

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