Primary
Generated via Deepmind Antigravity AI
Back to atlas
FishFreshwaterExpert
Encyclopaedia
Clown Knifefish
Chitala chitala
Massive crepuscular predator. Relegated to common tanks, it tears tankmates apart and suffers skin infections.
- Family
- Notopteridae
- Origin
- Bacini dell'Indo, Gange, Brahmaputra e Mahanadi
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Temperature
24 °C - 28 °C
pH
6.5 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
All levels
Adult size
120 cm
Description
The Chitala chitala fascinates with its sinuous swimming. Unfortunately, it grows up to a meter, becoming a relentless nocturnal hunter.
Lacking true protective scales, its skin is an easy target for Ichthyophthirius and necrotic bacterial lesions.
Care and observations
DRUG INTOXICATION: Its bare skin does not tolerate common malachite green or copper treatments. A standard dose to cure Ich will kill it in hours. NOCTURNAL SLAUGHTER: Inserted young with slow fish, it will systematically eliminate them when lights go out.
Fish profile
- Tank level
- All levels
- Adult size
- 120 cm
- GH
- 5 dGH - 15 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.