Royal Knife Fish

Royal Clown Knife is a rare and beautifully marked species of knife fish that lives in the fast-moving waters of the middle Mekong near the Thailand-Laos border.

They are a predatory species with a mouth that is surprisingly big. In many cases, they can easily eat fish up to 1/3 of their size. Even though they are predators, they are peaceful around almost all of their tankmates who are too big to eat.

They thrive in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and moderate to strong water movement, as they tend to be shy at first. With their vivid silver sheen, long undulating fin, and striking reticulated pattern of black markings, which typically becomes more intricate as the fish grows, larger specimens make impressive display fish. Over time, they will become more bold and more active in the aquarium.

II. You would love the fish because…

Chitala blanci, also known as the “royal knife fish” or “Indonesia featherback,” is a species of fish in the family Notopteridae that lives in the Mekong Basin of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is referred to as Plah Tong Rai in Thai. Adult length: 10 to 40 inches (25 to 50 cm), maximum length: 100 centimeters The knife fish is one of a kind. It is usually silvery gray and has a long, knife-like body that is compressed laterally. It also has a long anal fin, which is why they are called the knife fish. The mature clown knife fish typically has between five and ten (or more) black spots that are surrounded by white-colored spots. These spots always get smaller as the fish grows. It is distinct from Chitala chitala due to the absence of faint stripes on the back and the ocellated spots. Juveniles lack spots but are striped throughout. The Royal knife fish’s entire body is striped.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

Depends on their tank mates.

IV. Species compatibility

• Silver dollars
• Tinfoil barbs
• Angelfish
• Large cichlids
• Larger Gouramis
• Synodontis catfish

V. How to feed this species?

Feeder fish, ghost shrimp, and blackworms are just a few of the live foods clown knifefish will consume. They can eventually become accustomed to beefheart and commercial food pellets and adapt to them over time. Since they primarily feed at night, they prefer it when the lights are off.