Scientific Name: Chitala ornata
Common Name: Clown Knife Fish, Spotted Knife Fish, Clown Featherback
Adult Size: 28 inches
Life Expectancy: 10 years
Habitat: Thailand/Viet Nam
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
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Temperature Range: 76 - 80°F
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pH Range: 6.8 - 7.5
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Water Hardness : 5 - 15
Temperament: Typically peaceful but can be aggressive toward other Knife Fish. However, as long as these fish have enough space to call their own, it’s unlikely that they’ll be aggressive toward one another.
Diet & Nutrition: Their ideal diet is very similar to what they eat in their natural habitat. They are carnivores and will eat all types of live foods, meat, chopped earthworms, as well as frozen and flaked foods. Unlike some other species, these fish tend to be very resistant to transitioning over to flake or pellet foods. Their preference is a more protein-rich and natural diet. Any of the go-to live or frozen foods will work (a variety is always recommended). Bloodworms, prawns, brine shrimp, and tubifex can be used regularly.
Breeding & Spawning: A very large aquarium is recommended. Having some type of shelter and flat stones on the bottom will help with egg retention. The female will lay eggs. Males care for the eggs, keeping them clean from waste matter. Once the fry hatch, they should be transferred into their own rearing tank. Fry can be fed tiny brine shrimp until they are large enough to eat live and frozen foods.
Gender: Males can be identified as having longer, leaner body shapes.
