CheckMyFishTankClown Knifefish care
Chitala ornata · Freshwater · Advanced level care
A huge, nocturnal fish that needs a very big tank and is for advanced keepers.
Feeding
Twice a day. A modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes. Pellets, frozen foods, earthworms, shrimp.
Eats fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
Claims a territory and guards it.
Jumps. Keep a tight lid on the tank.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Clown Knifefish in a 500 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Neon Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Neon Tetra.
- Cardinal Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Cardinal Tetra.
- Green Neon Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Green Neon Tetra.
- Black Neon Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Black Neon Tetra.
- Ember Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Ember Tetra.
- Lemon Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Lemon Tetra.
- Glowlight Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Glowlight Tetra.
- Black Skirt Tetra: Clown Knifefish grows big enough to eat Black Skirt Tetra.
Questions
What size tank does a Clown Knifefish need?
At least 250 gallons. Adults grow to about 30 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Clown Knifefish like?
75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Clown Knifefish should I keep together?
Keep only one. Clown Knifefish fight their own kind.
What do Clown Knifefish eat?
Pellets, frozen foods, earthworms, shrimp. Feed twice a day: a modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.