Knifefish


Encyclopædia Britannica defines knifefish as:-

“Any of certain New World fishes of the suborder Gymnotoidei, order Cypriniformes. Knifefishes comprise, at most, about 50 species of Central and South American fishes found in quiet lakes and lagoons”


The knifefish, a common oddball in the general world of fish keeping, is a nice fish to watch in the home aquarium. Although known to be a species of fish that has a few more tank requirements, with some limited tank mates, the knifefish can be quite easily sustained in a community tank with the appropriate care.

Most knifefish has similar requirements so I will account what they require, and if specific knifefish have personal requirements, that will be let known in the knifefish species index at the bottom of the page.

Housing a Knifefish – Most knifefish are known to be nocturnal, reclusive and timid, so appropriate hiding areas or plants can be used to cover them. A typical medium sized knifefish may require a tank of around 40 to 50 gallons, however as the knifefish grows, then you should update your tank to around 100 gallons, or as big as the fish requires. Knife are scales fish and instead have a skin, somewhat like that of the clown loaches or spiny eels. Nitrates less than 40ppm are preferred for the knifefish and a temperature around 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit is well tolerated.

The typical life span of a knifefish can range ten or more years and they can range from 8 to 32 inches in length. Knife fish tend to be a fussier group of fish and prefer bloodworms, meaty bits, tablets and only on some occasions, flake foods.

Being a nocturnal fish, some can be hand tamed over time. Some of them use a weak electric sensor to guide there way around a tank and notice other fish. Good tank mates include fish that are usually larger than it. Smaller fish can get eaten or harassed. Knifefish tend to not always get along with there own kind, however they will tolerate it.

From my research with knifefish, I have found that they differ from personalities. One for my black ghost knives is aggressive and active and the other one is reclusive and hidden. They use this behaviour towards fish smaller than themselves. However towards each other, they are plain aggressive. Just take note there.


Common species of knifefish

To Be Updated