Can the clown knife cause a pleco to stress out and die? The pleco is way bigger then the knife is but seems to look stressed! Still eating well though! Any input would help thanks!
African Clown Knife W/ Lrge Pleco?
- Thread starter FishTank25
- Start date
It seems to me that the knife might "stress" the pleco a little, but shouldn't really be able to damage it. Plecos are armor-plated and usually quite tough. If they're both eating and otherwise healthy, it should be OK. Also, if either/both of the fish are new in the tank, it's normal to see a little aggression in the first week or so.
The only thing I've had that was able to kill a pleco is my fahaka puffer, and that was only because it's a fish with a beak designed to crack clam shells.
The only thing I've had that was able to kill a pleco is my fahaka puffer, and that was only because it's a fish with a beak designed to crack clam shells.
What is your tank set up like? CKs can be aggressive, but they are usually mellow from my experience. A lot of the time, if it's just a bunch of open space, it can stress out fish that need hiding spots such as Plecos and CKs. Small tanks tend to bring out more aggression as well.
I'm keeping a Common Pleco at 18" in a 150-Gallon tank with a 12" Clown Knife without any issues. Especially with a Pleco, you shouldn't really have any issues. Possible light change? Water quality? Anything else that would cause stress?
I just realized your title says "African" Clown Knife. There are 2 species from Africa. One is fairly shy and peaceful (X. Nigri), while the other is the opposite (P. afer). Clown Knives hail from SE Asia. If you have P. Afer, it is one of the most aggressive of the Knife family and need lots of space and territory.
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Yeah my P. Afer is fairing well against a large oscar (12"+). The knife is almost 18" long and hates cichlid's! If your knife has a pattern and the dorsal 'feather' its a P Afer, the other is much smaller (9" max?).
Here's a snapshot of my little guy (10"?) that shows the patterning...
![IMG_20120228_201922[1].jpg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/587/587901-4ef5e9b05aaf18db70dea67dd7fb6658.jpg?hash=TvXpsFqvGN "IMG_20120228_201922[1].jpg")
Here's a snapshot of my little guy (10"?) that shows the patterning...
Sounds like a p.afer to me. Mines plays with my JAG but chases my tinfoil barbs. No stress in the tank yet.
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