Clown Knifefish - A Freshwater Oddity

We recently received a shipment of Clown Knifefish at the pet store where I work at, so it's time to learn more about them.  Come to find out Aqualand Pets Plus carries this species as well.

According to AquariaCentral.com: Notopterus chitala, commonly known as the Clown Knifefish or Featherback, is a large predator from Southeast Asia.  The Clown Knifefish must be kept in a very large aquarium (at least 135 Gallons!).

Max Size:  36"  (i.e. - wayyy too large for the average fishkeeper!!!)

It is recommended to keep these fish alone as they are voracious predators capable of overpowering fishes of the same size and eating anything smaller.  They are nocturnal, preferring low light levels, so floating plants are appreciated.

Being carnivores, Clown Knifefish must be fed chunks of meaty foods such as chopped beef heart, prawns, live fish or fish meat. They prefer to feed at night-time.

Clown knifefish will adapt to most home aquarium conditions as far as water chemistry goes. They do, however, prefer a slightly acidic pH between 6.2-7.0. Water temperature should be kept quite high, around 84 degrees F.

Incredibly, one of these oddballs was caught by a man in Florida while bass fishing.  Wow!  That fish is gigantic! 

This is exactly why I wish chain pet stores wouldn't carry species of this sort, especially when the sales-team isn't educated on their care and specifications.  If we don't know, we can't inform you.  I'm guilty of this myself, having sold a very young (4") clown knifefish earlier this week when they first arrived without realizing how big they'll eventually become.  The customer is in for quite a surprise if his fish survives into adulthood.

But because pet stores do continue to sell oddities that have no business in the average fishkeepers' tanks (and usually don't inform their employees), consumers needs to do their part by researching all species prior to purchase.  Lest you wind up with a 3' predator with no place to put it!

Comments

[DSM Fish Gal]

I don't know if it was my sale or not, but a man came in saying his son had bought a clown knifefish for him as a gift recently and it decimated his tank. Peaceful community fish he had kept for years were eaten by this currently small yet aggressive fish. That's sad, but...well, we just didn't know. :(