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Others
/ Knifefish / Clown Knifefish
Clown Knifefish, Featherback
Chitala ornata | Pictures
Synonyms:
Notopterus chitala
Physical description: This elongated fish is high-backed with a long fin formed by the connection of the
anal and caudal fins.
The body color is silver-gray with four to ten distinct, black ocelli on the rear part
of the body.
Each ocelli is surrounded by a white area.
The fins are somewhat darker gray.
Size/Length: To 40" (101 cm) in nature; not usually more than 18" in captivity.
Similar species: Resembles the African Knifefish (
Xenomystus nigri ) and the Asian Knifefish
( Notopterus notopterus
) when young.
Habitat: Southeast Asia; calm, overgrown backwaters of large rivers in Burma, India, Thailand
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 40" (100 cm) or 45-55 gallons (170-210 L) is sufficient for young individuals.
When
fish reach 12" (30 cm) they should be moved to an 60" (152 cm) or 90-110 gallon (340-410 L) tank.
The
tank should be dimly lit with a cover of floating plants.
Provide hiding places with pipes, caves, wood,
and rocks.
Have densely planted areas, but leave large, open swimming areas.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-7 (6.3), 2-10 dH (5), 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Social behavior: Small fish will be eaten, so combine with other large fish.
The Clown Knifefish likes to form small,
loose schools when young.
Adults become more aggressive and territorial and should be kept singly.
Suggested companions: Arowana, Bichir, Oscar, Cichlasomines, Pimelodids, Loricarids, Asian Catfish, Giant
Gourami
FOOD: Live; fish, Tubifex
, snails, crustaceans, earthworms; occasionally pellets and tablets.
Sexual differences: Unknown
Breeding techniques: The pair will spawn in tanks with very soft water.
The eggs are laid in floating plants
and sometimes on hard surfaces. The male guards them, chasing off other fish and fanning the eggs. The eggs hatch
after 6-7 days. Transfer the fry into a rearing tank. Start feeding with
Artemia .
Breeding potential: 8.
The main problem encountered in trying to breed this fish is the large size that must be
attained to reach sexual maturity.
Remarks: Nocturnal. This fish is most active at dusk and daybreak.
This fish is consumed by people in its
native lands.
A variation, the "Royal Knife" is also available.
This type has more ocelli markings.
Difficulty of care: 6.
A fish peaceful towards different species whose diet should include live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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