Barred knifefish
Steatogenys elegans
Also known as Elegant knifefish, Centipede knifefish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Hypopomidae
- Origin
- Amazon and Orinoco lowlands
Overview
The barred knifefish is a mid-sized electric knifefish for a dim, soft-water tank with plenty of cover. It is a fish for experienced keepers.
Did you know
Most knifefish carry their electric organ along the tail. The barred knifefish has an extra one tucked under its chin, a cluster of specialized tissue that adds to its weak electric field.
Caring for the barred knifefish
Give a barred knifefish at least 66 gal (250 L), with lots of hiding places. Keep the tank dim and fill it with dense cover of wood and roots. It hides among the roots and cover through the day, then comes out to hover and hunt after dark.
Keep the water warm, soft and stained with tannins, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Give it gentle flow. Feed meaty foods once the lights are low, such as frozen bloodworm, blackworm, chopped prawn and sinking pellets.
The barred knifefish is calm toward unrelated fish, but keep it singly, since it defends space against its own kind and similar knifefish. Choose tank mates with caution, because small fish may be taken at night. Peaceful mid-water fish too large to be eaten are safest. It has not been recorded spawning in captivity.
Good to know
The barred knifefish belongs to the bluntnose knifefish family, Hypopomidae, and is finely barred along a tapering, bladeless body. Like its relatives, it produces a weak electric discharge for navigation and communication. It finds its way by this field rather than by sight. It also goes by elegant knifefish and centipede knifefish.
In the wild
The barred knifefish lives in warm, soft, dimly lit lowland waters of the Amazon and Orinoco. It drifts among submerged roots, leaf litter and marginal plants.
Common questions
What size tank does a barred knifefish need?
A barred knifefish needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a barred knifefish need?
A barred knifefish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
What does a barred knifefish eat?
A barred knifefish eats meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, blackworm, chopped prawn and sinking pellets, fed once the lights are low. It also hunts after dark and may take small fish.
How big does a barred knifefish get?
An adult barred knifefish reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
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