Introduction to Clown Knife Fish: Special Aspects, Environment and Physical Attributes
The Clown Knife Fish scientifically known as Chitala ornata is another splendid species which is enjoy its natural habitat in South east Asia states including Thailand,India and Myanmar. This fish is known for its appearance and to some extent its behavior of which include elongated body, large fins and body color that resembles the color of a clown, hence its name. Because of its elongated body and flaper-like appendages, the fish is well-suited to swimming still more rapidly in the water, and its large, elliptical pectoral fins also make it possible to maneuver distinctly lithely.
Although commonly bred in captivity, the Clown Knife Fish in its natural environment is found in shallow, warm, sluggish streams, and floodplains with lots of submergent and emergent aquatic vegetation. These areas give shelter as well as foraging zone since the fish major feeds on other fish, shrimps and bugs. Clown Knife Fish is nocturnal fish and as such they are mostly found to feed and hunt during the night. When living in natural environment they can get quite large, growing up to 90 cm in length, which is exciting for the owners of large home aquariums.
Setting Up the Perfect Tank for Clown Knife Fish: Size, Filtration and the Water Environment
Proper setting into the right conditions of the Clown Knife Fish is important for the fish to live well. Such fish still should be placed in a large aquarium that will provide enough space to move and to investigate something. The ideal tank size, based on the research is approximately 75 gallons, but it is preferable to get as large a tank as is possible, as Clown Knife Fishes can growth to become 36 inches in length. A tank with dimensions of at least 6 feet in length will allow the fishes to swim around hence they do not get stressed up or crowded.
The water parameters have to be carefully chosen when preparing the tank for the Clown Knife Fish. They prefer to live in water with a slightly acidic to neutral , pH level of 6.5 to 7.5. The water temperature of the fish should range from seventy five to eighty two degrees Fahrenheit or twenty four to twenty eight degrees Celsius because they are tropical fish. Another important feature that they incorporated in their tanks is filtration. It is always helpful to remember that Clown Knife Fish are large and also fairly messy eaters, so cycled filters are essential. The water is clean and oxygenated when a high quality filter is used so the fish are in good health.
Understanding the Diet of Clown Knife Fish: Diet for the Health of It
Proper nutrition of your Clown Knife Fish is highly important in order to keep the fish in good and healthy state of its body in the aquarium section. Clown Knife Fish as carnivorous fish must be fed with foods that are rich in protein. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, insects, therefore this diet must be observed while being in captivity. In order to obtain all the necessary nutrients from their meals, such a diet should include high-quality pellets for base, and frozen or live foods, such as shrimp, worms, and small fish for additions.
Eating vegetables is not an option for Clown Knife Fish, no part of their diet should be plant based, or have low levels of protein. And it is also advisable to feed cats of various meals so that they stay occupied, and in the process exhibit hunting instincts. For instance, the live or frozen feeder fish are also used sometimes as a supplement in fish’s feeding habits since they are auto feeders.
Tank Mates for Clown Knife Fish
As an articulated large knife fish which is carnivorous in nature, Clown Knife Fish must therefore be chosen a correct matching a companions in the tank. Because of the size, they are recommended to be placed with other large fish that could stand the aggression of the puffer fish. Some of the recommended tank companions for Clown Knife Fish are catfish, osacrs, arowanas and other non-violent and big fish types.
Clown Knife Fish should not be housed with other smaller or less aggressive fish since the Clown Knife Fish tends to see them as food. This species also known to exhibit territorial behaviors perhaps when feeding or when defending an area to hide in. Thus, their interaction and aggression increase when you was put many fishes in the tank. Also, Clown Knife Fish are night-time active and hence it becomes necessary to select the companian fishes which are comfortable at low light in the aquaria.
Clown Knife Fish Growth and Lifespan: Compared in Sickness and Health
There’s evidence that Clown Knife Fish are more probable to grow faster and live longer, though, the growth rate can be different depending on the habitat – wild and an aquarium. In their habitats they can attain a size of as much as 90 cm TL but in captivity they can only get only up to about 60 cm TL. However, even their size is a couple of folds smaller than the former, they are still regarded as a large species and your tank has to portray this.
Fish of Clown Knife species can live for about 15 years if appropriately cared in fish aquarium. They might live only a little bit longer in the wilderness but they are at the mercy of other animals or any changes in the environment that may otherwise slowly kill them. It’s important to keep a proper water quality, feed them right, and give them enough space and that will help them live longer in your aquarium.
Clown Knife Fish Behavior
Clown Knife Fish Chitala ornata are peculiar fish with specific behavior that each fish owner should be aware of. However, this type of Clown Knife Fish Administration has some interesting features associated with its night time activity. These fish are mainly nocturnal, and with their flexible and elongated shaped body combined with the lateral lines for detecting motion in the water during night. During the day they mostly go for an area of cover where they do not move so much. This behavior is important to take into account when designing their tank as they best thrive in low light and having at least one hide out during day time.
Another area of concern in Clown Knife Fish is on aggression. Their temper however is not overly assertive, they however are territorial, especially where they live in a confined environment such as a small aquarium. These fish are best kept together with fish of their own size for them not to fight each other. Still, some of the smaller fish may become endangered since these fish are carnivores. They need to be kept in good sized areas to maintain territories and not put too many together which causes stress and fighting.
Essential Care Guide for Clown Knife Fish: M/W- Maintenance, health and Diseases)
The proper care Clown Knife Fish, their health check and how to avoid diseases in the fish. Larger, more exotic fish must be in an optimal tank, optimal water conditions, so a primary schedule that you should not neglect is watering changes. They are carnivorous fish and hence they are ICU producers of waste hence so the water should be filtered accurately to make it clean and clear. It also ensures that they keep in the right environment required to support their health requirements.
Another important care that should be taken in Clown Knife Fish is the water parameters. The recommended water temperature should be in the region of 75- 82 F ( 24- 28C ) and that of pH 6.5 – 7.5. A notable frequency is advised to conduct a water test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates as their spiking is dangerous for fish leading to stress or ill health. Besides, good aeration will make the oxygen levels within the tank high enough to make your Clown Knife Fishs active much as possible.
Breeding Clown Knife Fish: A Guide to Fry Rearing and Breeding Fish in an Aquarium
Clown Knife Fish is a fish species that can be easily bred in captivity even though the process is not easy. These fish breed in slow, flowing rivers and to simulate the natural breeding type in a home aquarium one needs to take certain measures. One of the major aspects that form the basis of breeding Clown Knife Fish as general knowledge has it is offering them a large and mature aquarium tank. A 100 gallons aqua tank or above would be preferred, depending on as many fish as possible to find their own territory and be at ease. You’ll also need to maintain optimal water conditions: water temperature should be at between 80°F (about 27°C) a pH level of slightly acidic or neutral and flows at a low to moderate rate.
Just forming a breeding pair can be challenging, as with many species the external structure of the male and female Clown Knife Fish are indistinguishable from each other. However, when ready to breed, the male will chase the female and get to work in setting up a spawning site in an area close to the surface or an angle of the fish tank. After the female lays her eggs, the male will go and fertilize the eggs. The eggs will hatch in about 2-3 days, and the fry should be fed small alive foods like brine or suspected small pellet foods to enable it grow.
Clown Knife Fish in the Aquarium Trade
Clown Knife Fish enjoy a high demand in the aquarium trade due to the fact that they are exotic and so entertaining to behold. However, you may easily find them and on the contrary their availability can depend on your geography and the season. Usually, some of them are to be purchased from specialized aquarium stores, or on the internet stores dealing with exotic fish. The Clown Knife Fish can cost varying prices, and normally they are in the $40-$150 bracket depending on their size, their age and not forgetting the policies that the store has set down. It is usually expected that specimens belong to a larger size and of an older variety will be costly to acquire.
One has to know some vital facts when searching for Clown Knife Fish so as to acquire healthy fish. The better physical conditions can be noticed by clear, bright eyes, presence of rich colors and nice, active swimming. Specifically, do not eat fish that has ulcers, pale colored or swims awkwardly, because they may be infected. If possible, you should have a word with the retailer and know the history of the fish and whether the fish has been quarantined to avoid disease spread.
Conclusion: The Advantages of Accepting the Prejudice of Specialty of Clown Knife Fish.
Having Clown Knife Fish is a joy and a secret as it is quite demanding when it comes to looking after these fish and it would need its owner to be committed, patient and equipped just right. These bright and attractively looking fishes will look well in large aquariums, however, their care requirements should not be overlooked. One has to contemplate many things about these fish such as their activity at night and their aggressive behaviors, the right habitat for breeding and that they should be in good health among others.
However, the difficulties in maintaining Clown Knife Fish are really worth it. They are attractive with interesting behaviors and easy to maintain that they are more preferred than some of the freshwater fish species. When you learn what your Clown Knife Fish requires and make sure that they get it, along with a proper environment and good health, you can look forward to the mysterious and elegance of the clown knife fish in aquarium for many years. Of course there is nothing quite like the enjoyment of successfully rearing Clown Knife Fish’s dull, yet the thrill of rearing the fish is a great thing especially to any aquarist whether you’re new to fish keeping or an old pro.