XL Clown Knife (20-22”)

Maximum Size and Lifespan:

• Can grow up to 3ft in the wild, though in aquariums they usually reach 24–30 inches.

• Lifespan: 15+ years with proper care, though some have lived longer in large, well-maintained aquaria.

Recommended Aquarium Size, Water Changes, and Care:

• Tank Size: A minimum of 250 gallons for an adult, though juveniles can start in smaller tanks (40–125 gallons). Larger tanks are preferred if keeping with other tankmates

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

  • pH: 6.0–7.5
    

• Water Changes: Large and frequent—30–40% weekly is recommended due to their size and high waste production.

• Care Notes:

  • They need plenty of open swimming space and hiding spots (large driftwood, PVC pipes, big caves).

  • Sensitive to poor water quality, so strong filtration and oxygenation are essential.

  • As juveniles they are delicate and can be picky eaters, but they become hardy once established.

Tankmates:

• Best kept with large, peaceful but robust fish.

• Redtail Catfish, Arowana, Stingrays, Datnoids, Peacock Bass, Large Armored Catfish, etc.

  • Avoid small fish (they will be eaten) and very aggressive fish that may nip at the knife’s delicate fins.

   

• Diet:

   

Carnivorous – prefers meaty foods.

• Ideal foods include:

  • Frozen Shrimp and Tilapia
    

  • Sinking Carnivore/massivore pellets. 

• Juveniles may need live or frozen foods initially before transitioning to prepared diets.

Natural Environment:

• Native to Southeast Asia—particularly Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

• Found in rivers, lakes, floodplains, and swamps, often among submerged vegetation and root tangles.

• Nocturnal hunters, they rely on their keen lateral line system to detect prey in murky waters.

Breeding:

• Extremely difficult in captivity due to their size requirements.

• In nature, they spawn during the rainy season.

• Males guard the eggs after spawning.

• There are a few documented cases of spawning in very large aquaria and ponds, but it is rare in home aquariums.

✅ Summary: The Clown Knife Fish (Chitala ornata) is a striking, nocturnal predator that can grow very large, requiring a massive aquarium, strong filtration, and meaty diet. Breeding in captivity is rarely successful.