Clown Featherback Knifefish

Chitala ornata

Clown Featherback Knifefish is a bottom-to-middle swimmer.

Predatory; territorial toward conspecifics and similar-shaped fishBottom to middle swimmerAdvanced

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Need help with Clown Featherback Knifefish?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 39.4" (≤ 100 cm)
Aquarium size: 132 US gal (500 L) or larger
Care level: Advanced
Temperament: Predatory; territorial toward conspecifics and similar-shaped fish
Swimming zone: Bottom to middle swimmer
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 6–8
GH: 2–15 dGH
Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: up to 15 years

Care requirements

Care level: Advanced.

Lifespan: up to 15 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 132 US gal (500 L) or larger. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 20–28 °C, pH 6–8, GH 2–15 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Clown Featherback Knifefish needs careful companion choice because it can be territorial or semi-aggressive.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

As an omnivore, Clown Featherback Knifefish should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.

Feed appropriately sized animal-based foods; avoid mammalian/avian meat and routine feeder fish.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 132 US gal (500 L) or larger.
Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Blue Eyed Plecostomus Panaque cochliodon Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 11.8" (≤ 30 cm) 72–82°F (22–28°C) Blue Spotted Hill Trout Barilius bakeri Similar care level Same swimming zone Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 5.1" (≤ 13 cm) 64–79°F (18–26°C) Black Stripe Dwarf Cichlid Taeniacara candidi Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 2.5" (≤ 6.4 cm) 81–86°F (27–30°C) African Glass Catfish Pareutropius debauwi Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 72–81°F (22–27°C) Apollo’s Leporinus Leporinus apollo Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 5.3" (≤ 13.4 cm) 68–81°F (20–27°C) Avacado Pufferfish Auriglobus modestus Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 73–82°F (23–28°C)

FAQ

How large does Clown Featherback Knifefish get?

Clown Featherback Knifefish reaches ≤ 39.4" (≤ 100 cm). It needs specialist housing, long-term space, strong filtration, and carefully chosen companions.

What aquarium size does Clown Featherback Knifefish need?

Use an aquarium of at least 132 US gal (500 L) or larger.

Is Clown Featherback Knifefish peaceful?

Clown Featherback Knifefish needs more careful companion choice because the temperament data points toward boundaries, space, or similar-sized fish.

What temperature is suitable for Clown Featherback Knifefish?

Keep it between 20 to 28 °C.