12 inch african knifefish

[ClownKnife28]

Has anyone actually ever owned or seen a twelve inch african knifefish in captivity?

 

[phillydog1958]

i have an african now. it's only 6 inches, but i'm hoping he will reach 12.

 

[MeiTnerium109]

What kind?

Some people refer to the Reticulate and Featherfin knifes as "african knifefish," when they are actually not. The true "african knifefish" is more correctly called the "african black knifefish."

In that case, however, I have not seen an african black knifefish at 12". In fact, they only get that long in the wild.

 

[phillydog1958]

What kind?

Some people refer to the Reticulate and Featherfin knifes as "african knifefish," when they are actually not. The true "african knifefish" is more correctly called the "african black knifefish."

In that case, however, I have not seen an african black knifefish at 12". In fact, they only get that long in the wild.

mine is black. he's a smokey-colored fish, almost a charcoal grey/black with a silky sheen to him. it's the prettiest one i've ever seen. i got him at petsmart and we know how often they make errors in fish id's. they sold him to me as a black african knife, but who knows. time will tell . . .

 

[benzjamin13]

Well...seeing that it averages 8" the biggest I've seen was 9"-10"

 

[myleslucas]

i own a knifefish type fish no idea what it is buts its about 7 inches tho

 

[syddakyd]

i have 5 + a deceased one of two years bought as an adult. they will not likely hit near a foot. probably one giant one was caught so it "upped the average"

 

[SimonL]

It's easy to tell, Reticulated knives have a more elongated, arowana like body and swimming style, as well as a fin on top.

African knives have a more blocky shape and no fin on top.

 

[Hoyo12]

Well...seeing that it averages 8" the biggest I've seen was 9"-10"

x2
Saw an African Knife (Xenomystus nigri) at 9" a few months ago. That's the largest that I have seen. Mine is only 4 1/2" right now, so I have a ways to go, lol.

 

[King-eL]

What kind?

Some people refer to the Reticulate and Featherfin knifes as "african knifefish," when they are actually not. The true "african knifefish" is more correctly called the "african black knifefish."

In that case, however, I have not seen an african black knifefish at 12". In fact, they only get that long in the wild.

Lol! What...?

Featherfin is another name for knifefish from Notopteridae also called featherbacks. Reticulated knifefish is also an african knifefish species as it's also from AFRICA.