Hello, I am new here with a knifefish question.

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GoneJohnson

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 11, 2011
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NW Montana
Hello,

Nice forums, I've used it's resources often and could have posted some helpful info at times. I have a big knife fish 22" in a 200 gal tank and have some specific questions but other than the "proper forum" does any member have a better understanding than basic internet knowledge about the Clown Knifefish? I have researched the poop out of the internet and everything I find is directed to much smaller fish.

I also have a 150 gallon corner tank.

Thanks,
Randy
p.s. - move this thread/post if in the wrong spot.
 
LOL - I will put all my questions into the proper forum. Mostly setting "how best" to decor my 200 gallon tank for my 22 inch knife fish. Decor meaning not looks but what would he like.
 
if youre not going for looks then id say get a 3' long x 8-12" tall piece of PVC from Lowes and you can cover it with rocks, plants, etc. with both ends of it open for the fish to hide in. youll need a bigger tank for that knife soon though. they can reach up to 40" long and need at least a 300-400g tank
 
there is a knifefish section with alot of knowledgeable people.with decor most i think would agree to mimic his natural habitat would be best.there odd ones such as mine who dont like to hide,prefers the light and having a planted tank annoys him so he rips them up.start with one or two hides and plant lightly then adjust to how he interacts with his enviroment.
 
I am working on a longer multi question thread with a few photos and will describe what I've built for him and am just thinking more of the future. I'll get it posted in the knifefish section when laid out.

Thanks for your help.
 
Ive found that once my clown knife hit about 7" he went front sleeping all day in a corner to out and about all day cruising the tank.
 
If you followed from my welcome thread thanks. Here’s my situation...

I acquired an 11 inch Clown knife from a friend about 6 or more years ago. He grew to about 18" in a corner or L shaped tank about 140- 150 gallons - inside measurements. Each L or long side was 60" and 16" from front to back on the sides so the corner is a 5 sided what ever from about 28" up to 32". So before he started eating everyone. I moved him...

The L shaped tank actually has a few more square inches of foot print. It is 2” to 4" shorter I’ve wondered if he might be better in the L tank. - no?

He is 22” long and 7” in height. I would guess he is 8 to 12 years old.

Last year in April of 2010 I got a 200 gallon 72” tank and built a large rock cave area also kept the top covered and the back and side had darker weed decor. He took to it good. Always stayed there. One day last month he just moved to the center of the tank.
I have minimal lighting. Only 1 24” bulb over the side the cichlids reside more. There is a lot of natural light.

I could not find enough “info” for my needs so I am looking for your comments and suggestions.

He eats a variety of frozen fish and shrimp, live gold fish, different pellets, few worms in summer and fresh minnows.

In the tank with the Clown knife I have - A 8” long Catfish, A 6” long and 5” tall Green Sevran - bigger with fins, A 6” Jack Dempsey, 3 - 4” or 5” Convicts, a 6” and a Parrot fish and 2 - 10” plecatamouses, Convicts could become dinner.

I am considering centering in the back of tank a piece of Plexiglas smoothed corners 3 foot long with a 90 degree bend in it - and position it at the back of tank then cover it with rocks and gravel. I was considering making it at least 10” tall and 8” wide but really have no clue as to what sizes of area they need, like, want. Do they prefer small/tight spots or roomy?

Thanks for any input or thoughts.

I’ve read enough to tell and can see a bigger tank indeed would be nice and needed. I might have to think about getting rid of him. A tank that big seems to expensive. I’ve seen good deals on used ones but not in NW Montana.
 
large leaved plants, boulders, drift wood, and stone slabs arranged so that they make caves for hiding, It is not that difficult
 
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