Brand new pickup

[Username6942098]

I recently was able to purchase a gymnotus javari from my lfs. I am not the biggest fan of knifefish but I knew this was and opportunity I could not pass up on. Currently in a 48" 50g with some other SA cichlids I am growing out.

If anyone has any experience with this fish will I need to upgrade in the future?

 

[Fishman Dave]

In an ideal situation yes, a bit bigger tank would make a for life home but you will have two considerations.
One, tankmates. Javari only get to about eight inches so a 50 g 4ft tank whilst borderline could house a javari for life assuming it was gonna be alone. But what kind of life would that be. They are quite accepting of tankmates so seems logical to keep them with some. Hence a bigger tank would be ideal.
Two, ensuring it is javari. Javari are one of the smaller tiger knives so if it turns out you don’t have Javari but have one of the others then expect it not to stop at 8”. And hence yes a bigger tank is needed.

Just to qualify point two (yours looks like Javari to me!)

 

[Username6942098]

In an ideal situation yes, a bit bigger tank would make a for life home but you will have two considerations.
One, tankmates. Javari only get to about eight inches so a 50 g 4ft tank whilst borderline could house a javari for life assuming it was gonna be alone. But what kind of life would that be. They are quite accepting of tankmates so seems logical to keep them with some. Hence a bigger tank would be ideal.
Two, ensuring it is javari. Javari are one of the smaller tiger knives so if it turns out you don’t have Javari but have one of the others then expect it not to stop at 8”. And hence yes a bigger tank is needed.

Just to qualify point two (yours looks like Javari to me!)

Thanks for the info,in your opinion what would a 75 gallon be better if I wanted tankmates?