Source: Wikimedia Commons
Clown Knifefish
AdvancedChitala ornata
A large knifefish from Southeast Asia. Dark ocelli line the rear of its silver-grey flanks, and it reaches 1m and 5kg. This predator swims both forwards and backwards by undulating its long anal fin.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
20〜28℃
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
Up to about 100cm and 5kg
Diet
Strips of fish, prawns, mussels and large earthworms
About
Chitala ornata is a large featherback from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, reaching 100cm and 5kg. It swims forwards or backwards by undulating the long anal fin running along its underside. Adults develop a row of dark ocelli on the rear flanks, the source of the common name. It tolerates a wide range of water, pH 6.0-8.0, 2-15 dGH and 20-28C, but its size is the obstacle: Seriously Fish considers it suitable only for public installations or the very largest specialist private aquaria. Feed strips of fish, whole prawns, mussels and large earthworms, never mammalian or avian meat. It is relatively peaceful with fishes too large to be prey but territorial towards conspecifics and similarly shaped species. In the wild males build nests of branches and leaves in flooded forest during the wet season and guard eggs and fry; captive breeding has not been reported.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Clown Knifefish
The Clown Knifefish lives 10-15 years.
Size of the Clown Knifefish
The Clown Knifefish grows to Up to about 100cm and 5kg.
Temperature & humidity for the Clown Knifefish
The ideal temperature for the Clown Knifefish is 20〜28℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Asia: Mekong basin (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), Chao Phraya and Meklong basins
Lifespan
10-15 years
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 2–15 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 20–28℃
Semi-aggressiveSolitaryBreeding: Very hard
Sources: Seriously Fish: Chitala ornata / FishBase: Chitala ornata
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Chitala ornata Gray, 1831
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Clown Knifefish Listings
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