Clown knifefish
Chitala ornata
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 31.5 in
- 80 cm
- Minimum tank
- 125 gal
- 475 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Notopteridae
- Origin
- Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
Overview
The clown knifefish is a solitary nocturnal predator that needs a very large tank. It is for dedicated keepers with some experience and the room and filtration to match its size.
Did you know
The clown knifefish swims forward and backward with equal ease by rippling its long underside fin, so it seems to glide in place. Together with a sensitive lateral line, that fin lets it hunt and maneuver in dark, cluttered water.
Caring for the clown knifefish
Give a clown knifefish a very large tank, at least 125 gal (475 L) and realistically more as it grows. Provide low light, hiding spots and a soft, sandy bottom. It is active at night and stays near the bottom of the tank.
Keep the water at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It hunts smaller fish and invertebrates, so feed meaty foods such as shrimp, worms and fish pieces.
It is a solitary, territorial fish, so keep it alone. Avoid tank mates small enough to swallow. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
Chitala ornata is in the knifefish family Notopteridae. It has a long, tapering body and a continuous anal fin that runs along the underside. It is an air-breather that gulps surface air. Adults are marked by a row of dark eye-spots along the rear of the body.
In the wild
Clown knifefish come from slow rivers, lakes and swamps in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The water is often murky, with low visibility and plenty of submerged roots and cover. That suits an ambush predator that hunts after dark.
Common questions
What size tank does a clown knifefish need?
A clown knifefish needs at least 125 gal (475 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a clown knifefish need?
A clown knifefish is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a clown knifefish eat?
A clown knifefish hunts smaller fish and invertebrates. Feed it meaty foods, such as shrimp, worms and fish pieces.
How big does a clown knifefish get?
An adult clown knifefish reaches about 31.5 in (80 cm).
Related species
39.4 in (100 cm)317 gal (1,200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Royal knifefish
Chitala blanci
39.4 in (100 cm) · 317 gal (1,200 L)
31.5 in (80 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)African featherfin knifefish
Papyrocranus afer
31.5 in (80 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
13.8 in (35 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Bronze featherback
Notopterus notopterus
13.8 in (35 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
13.8 in (35 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Congo featherfin knifefish
Papyrocranus congoensis
13.8 in (35 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)African knifefish
Xenomystus nigri
11.8 in (30 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
31.5 in (80 cm)185 gal (700 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)Marbled tandanus catfish
Tandanus tandanus
31.5 in (80 cm) · 185 gal (700 L)