Overview
- The Clown Knifefish (Chitala ornata) is a large, nocturnal predator with a row of black spots along its knife-shaped body.
- Native to the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
- Can reach about 39 in (100 cm), far too big for almost any home aquarium.
Feeding
- A nocturnal predator that eats fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates.
- Young fish take bloodworm, earthworms and chopped shrimp. Adults take strips of fish, whole shrimp and mussels.
Habitat
- Suitable only for public aquariums or very large, specialist home setups.
- Dim light and shelters such as driftwood, large rocks or wide pipes.
- Water: 68–82°F (20–28°C), pH 6.0–8.0, GH 2–15.
Fish Care
- Needs a large, mature filter and weekly water changes of 50–70%.
- Keep the water well oxygenated with some flow.
Compatibility
- Will eat any fish small enough to swallow.
- Keep only with large, robust tankmates.
Aquarium Behavior
- Mostly active at night.
- Territorial toward its own kind and similar-shaped fish.
Breeding
- Not reported in aquariums.
- In the wild, males guard nests and fry in flooded forest during the wet season.