CKF tankmates

[kribman]

I just saw clown knife at a store yesterday and had to buy it. He is about 6 or so inches, and I put him in my 135 gallon tank. He went in there with:

-3 2.4 inch arulius barbs
-1 3.2 inch gold severum
-1 3 inch salvini
-1 2.5 inch firemouth
-1 2.8 inch Gold Saum
-1 2.8 inch white tiger oscar
-3 3 inch tiger barbs

To start, I really could care less if the barbs end up in the belly of the knife, but the cichlids are more adorable and thus I want them alive. The cichlids are all confident but relatively kind. I was wondering if they will mature fast enough not to become knife food. The CKF has already made lame attempts at catching the arulius barbs, but they're too quick for him. Will this setup work? Thanks

[bbrtmad]

Should be fine but will need a large tank in the end as they get 24"+. Eventually he will eat the barbs once there bite sized enough.

[benzjamin13]

Your Fire Mouth might be in trouble. Everyone else is safe for now.

[kribman]

I might scratch the firemouth after I've had him for a couple months, before i get attached. Is a 72'' tank not enough? I saw him yawn today and he opened his mouth as wide as he could, i don't think he can fit those fish in his mouth yet. I don't plan on buying a bigger tank for this fish, I'll just sell him or donate him when he gets too big. But the years I will have with him should be fun!

[dbcb314]

135s are... 24 inches wide?

someone one here has a 40+ inch clown knife... just saying haha

they WILL reach 24 inches relatively easy

[shamrock]

Here is what I have with my 2 CKs-Tiger Oscar, Red Oscar, Ocellaris Bass, and an Ornate Bichir-try to get fish that get atleast half the size of your CK and not too aggressive-I would also worry about the Sal when that CK gets larger.

[dbcb314]

my friend kept his CK with oscars, a lima shovelnose, and a silver aro

[aidenb]

i doubt a 135 is wide enough, they need at least 24" width in my opinion. by the way, don't plan on just donating it, you'll be very lucky to get rid of it after about 14"

[kribman]

I work at a store that I can bring it too, so there is nothing to worry about.

[BIGtyme]

everything should be fine in there, and i agree, you could keep that ck for a while with your size tank, maybe 2.5 years ish, maybe a little shorter if you feed him lots

[blattalady]

i just bought a 125g that i'm putting a ckf in with an oscar and a leporinus that are currently cramped in a 55 g will this work?

[shamrock]

Temporary for the CK yes-For life just the Oscar and Lep.-I think a CK needs a tank that is 24 inches wide.

[benzjamin13]

A 180g would be good for a CK...240g would be better;)

[shamrock]

Ben-yeah I agree my CK is in a 240 gallon.