Clown Knifefish - Chitala Ornata

Clown Knifefish Chitala ornata It is a very popular knifefish. This is partly because of its common availability and being relatively inexpensive. But its also a favorite because it is extremely attractive. They usually have a pattern of large spots, but this can be quite variable and it seems that no two Clown Knifefish are exactly alike.

The normal colouring of the Clown Knifefish is a silvery grey characterized by a variable pattern of large spots above the base of the anal fin. Yet sometimes they may have no spots at all, and sometimes they may have two rows of smaller spots. Other common names it is known by are Clown Featherback Fish, Spotted Knifefish, Spotted Featherback Fish, and Clown Knife. There is also an albino colour form as seen in the picture above that's called the Albino Clown Knifefish.

The Clown Knife has the typical knifefish body shape, flat and elongated with an arched back. Its anal fin and caudal fin (tail fin) are joined, giving it a long continuous fin along the underside. This fin undulates, allowing it to move either forwards or back wards, making it a very graceful swimmer.

• Common Names: Clown Featherback, Spotted Knifefish
• Scientific Name: Chitala ornata
• Max Size: ~70cm
• Temperature Range: 24-28°C
• pH Range: 6-7, benefits from slightly soft/acidic conditions
• Compatibility: Aggressive, only suitable for specialist community aquariums with other large, boisterous fish
• Plant Safe: No, but may leave robust varieties like Anubias and Java Fern alone
• Area Of Origin: Southeast Asia
• Diet: Carnivorous, offer variety of live/frozen foods such as bloodworms and chopped prawns/mussels; will rarely accept dried foods
• Special Requirements: Keep in large aquarium equipped with powerful filtration system (sump filtration preferred), provide lots of hiding places primarily in the form of rocks and wood, prefer dim light and moderate to high flow, notorious jumpers so use tight-fitting lid