Royal knifefish
Chitala blanci
Also known as Indochina featherback, Blanc's knifefish, Royal clown knife
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.2–7.8
- Adult size
- 39.4 in
- 100 cm
- Minimum tank
- 317 gal
- 1,200 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
- Mekong basin
Overview
The royal knifefish is a giant featherback, a fish only for very large, custom systems. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The royal knifefish's long anal fin runs almost the whole underside and beats in a rippling wave. That wave lets it glide backward just as smoothly as it moves forward.
Caring for the royal knifefish
Plan on at least 317 gal (1,200 L) for a royal knifefish, in a tank of great length. It is nervous and prone to bolting, so give it dim light, driftwood and open cruising lanes. Fit a heavy, well-sealed lid. The scale of the system matters more than any aquascaping detail.
Keep the water warm and quiet, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a near-neutral pH of 6.2 to 7.8. Feed meaty foods such as fish fillet, prawn, mussel and earthworms, and wean it off live fish where possible.
Keep one to a tank. It is a solitary, night-active predator that leaves large tank mates alone but eats anything it can fit in its mouth. Any companions must be big, calm and too large to swallow. Its breeding is not recorded in home aquaria.
Good to know
Chitala blanci is a featherback in the family Notopteridae, and it can pass a meter in length in the wild. It resembles the clown knifefish but is marked differently. Instead of that fish's large ringed spots, it carries small dark spots that merge into oblique bars along the rear body and fins.
In the wild
The royal knifefish, or Indochina featherback, is a river giant that hunts the deeper channels of the Mekong basin. It moves at night and shelters in cover by day.
Common questions
What size tank does a royal knifefish need?
A royal knifefish needs at least 317 gal (1,200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a royal knifefish need?
A royal knifefish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.2–7.8.
What does a royal knifefish eat?
A royal knifefish eats meaty foods, such as fish fillet, prawn, mussel and earthworms. Wean it off live fish where possible.
How big does a royal knifefish get?
An adult royal knifefish reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).
Related species
31.5 in (80 cm)125 gal (475 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Clown knifefish
Chitala ornata
31.5 in (80 cm) · 125 gal (475 L)
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Papyrocranus congoensis
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