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Others
/ Knifefish / Asian Knifefish
Asian Knifefish
Notopterus notopterus | Pictures
Synonyms: Gymnotus
notopterus
Physical description: This elongated, laterally compressed fish has an arched back
The body coloring is brown-violet to
brown and the fins are lighter.
The mouth is large, while the dorsal fin is small.
Size/Length: To 14" (35 cm)
Similar species: African Knifefish (
Xenomystus nigri )
Habitat: Widespread throughout Southeast Asia; Burma, India, Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 40" (101 cm) or 45-55 gallons (170-210 L) is sufficient.
Follow
suggestions under C. ornata
.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-7 (6.5), 2-12 dH (6), 75-82 F (24-28 C)
Social behavior: The Asian Knifefish may be best kept in a species tank, although it can be combined
with other medium to large fish.
The Asian Knifefish is aggressive towards its own species.
This nocturnal species is territorial.
Suggested companions: B.
schwanenfeldi , Asian Catfish, Loricarids, Pimelodids, Giant Gourami,
Loaches, and peaceful cichlids
FOOD: Live; fish, Tubifex
, snails, crustaceans, earthworms; tablets
Sexual differences: Unknown
Breeding techniques:
Spawning takes place at night, with 150-200 eggs being dropped on the bottom and rocks.
The
male guards them, chasing off other fish and fanning the eggs.
The eggs hatch after 2 weeks.
Start feeding with
Artemia .
Breeding potential: 9.
Breeding is fairly unusual
Remarks: This species is very similar to
Xenomystus nigri .
These two species can be distinguished
by X. nigri
's lack of a dorsal fin.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This aggressive species requires well maintained water and a diet including 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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