Congo featherfin knifefish
Papyrocranus congoensis
Also known as Congo knifefish, Congo tiger knife
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 13.8 in
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Notopteridae
- Origin
- Congo basin
Overview
The Congo featherfin knifefish is a night-active predator, a fish for large tanks rather than the enormous systems its West African cousin demands. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The genus Papyrocranus holds just two species, and they split the continent between them. The Congo featherfin knifefish lives in the Congo basin, and the larger reticulated knifefish lives across the rivers of West Africa.
Caring for the Congo featherfin knifefish
Plan on a tank of at least 119 gal (450 L) for a Congo featherfin knifefish. Give it dim light, driftwood, tangled roots, shaded cover and quiet water, with a secure lid. It is a retiring fish that values cover and calm over bright, busy surroundings.
Back the tank with strong filtration and good oxygen. Keep the water soft and warm, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C). A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0 suits it. Feed meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, mysis, prawn and fish pieces.
Keep one per tank, since it will not tolerate other knifefish and can be pushy toward slow or small tank mates. It ignores fish too big to eat but takes anything small enough to swallow, so choose only sizable, calm companions. Aquarium spawning has not been documented.
Good to know
Papyrocranus congoensis is a featherback in the family Notopteridae, the plainer of the two Papyrocranus species. Like its relatives, it moves on a long anal fin that ripples along the underside. It is a rare, mostly brown fish in the trade.
In the wild
The Congo featherfin knifefish keeps to shaded, slow stretches of the Congo River basin. By day it hides under wood and among roots.
Common questions
What size tank does a Congo featherfin knifefish need?
A Congo featherfin knifefish needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Congo featherfin knifefish need?
A Congo featherfin knifefish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Congo featherfin knifefish eat?
A Congo featherfin knifefish eats meaty frozen foods, such as bloodworm, mysis, prawn and fish pieces. It also takes any fish small enough to swallow.
How big does a Congo featherfin knifefish get?
An adult Congo featherfin knifefish reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
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