African knifefish
Xenomystus nigri
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Notopteridae
- Origin
- West Africa
Overview
The African knifefish is a night-active fish for a large, shaded tank. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The African knifefish is an obligate air breather that rises to gulp from the surface. It can make a barking or bell-like sound as it swallows air, thought to help it communicate in murky water.
Caring for the African knifefish
Give an African knifefish a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with plenty of shade from plants, wood and overhangs. It hides among wood, roots and caves during the day and comes out to feed after dark. Subdued lighting brings out its natural behavior.
Keep the water soft and gently filtered, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed live and frozen foods such as earthworms, shrimp and mussel in the evening.
Keep one to a tank, since it can be aggressive toward its own kind and toward similar bottom fish in tight quarters. It will eat small fish and shrimp it can swallow, so choose calm tank mates too large to be seen as food. Spawning in aquaria is rarely recorded.
Good to know
The African knifefish is a member of Notopteridae, the featherback or knifefish family. It has the tapering, blade-like body typical of the group, but it is unusual in lacking a dorsal fin entirely. It moves instead by rippling its long anal fin.
In the wild
Xenomystus nigri lives in slow, densely vegetated freshwaters across West and Central Africa. Its forest streams, swamps and pools are often dim and low in oxygen.
Common questions
What size tank does an African knifefish need?
An African knifefish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an African knifefish need?
An African knifefish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does an African knifefish eat?
An African knifefish eats live and frozen foods, such as earthworms, shrimp and mussel, best offered in the evening. It will also eat small fish and shrimp it can swallow.
How big does an African knifefish get?
An adult African knifefish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
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