African featherfin knifefish

Care at a glance

Overview

The African featherfin knifefish is a large, nocturnal predator that grows to around 80 centimeters, really a fish for public aquaria or very large species systems. Keep one to a tank, since it is territorial toward its own kind and other knifefish. It is not aggressive toward tankmates it cannot swallow, but it will eat any fish small enough to fit its mouth, so give it only large, calm companions or none at all. It hides by day and cruises at night, so provide dim light, driftwood, roots, and long open lanes, with a tightly sealed lid, as it is an accomplished escape artist. Feed meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, fish fillet, and earthworms. Plan on a tank of at least 600 liters, and far more for an adult.

In the wild

This knifefish lives in slow, often turbid rivers and floodplains of tropical West Africa, sheltering under cover through the day. Give it a big, dimly lit tank with driftwood, twisted roots, and areas of shade, gentle water movement, strong filtration, and high oxygen to handle its waste. Keep the water soft and warm, around 24 to 28 C, at a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Space and shade matter most.

Good to know

Papyrocranus afer is a featherback in the family Notopteridae and one of Africa's largest knifefishes, reaching about 80 centimeters. It swims with the long, undulating anal fin that runs the length of the underside, the family trademark. The genus name translates as paper skull, pointing to the thin, papery bones of the head. Its breeding is not documented in home aquaria.

Did you know

The genus name Papyrocranus means paper skull, a reference to the unusually thin, papery bones of its head. Despite reaching the length of a grown person's arm, it is a shy, night-active hunter that spends daylight hidden under wood.

Common questions

Related species

• Congo featherfin knifefish

  Papyrocranus congoensis

  Freshwater

  13.8 in (35 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Royal knifefish

  Chitala blanci

  Freshwater

  39.4 in (100 cm)317 gal (1,200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Clown knifefish

  Chitala ornata

  Freshwater

  31.5 in (80 cm)125 gal (475 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

• 

  Bronze featherback

  Notopterus notopterus

  Freshwater

  13.8 in (35 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  African knifefish

  Xenomystus nigri

  Freshwater

  11.8 in (30 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Black Pacu

  Colossoma macropomum

  Freshwater

  39.4 in (100 cm)660 gal (2,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)