Clown Knifefish
Chitala ornata
Actinopterygii
RARE
Stats
- Lifespan
- 10-15 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Social
- Solitary
- Biome
- Freshwater wetland
- Range
- Southeast Asia
- Movement
- Swimming
- Breeding
- Egg-laying
- Defense
- Camouflage
- Status
- Rare
About
The clown knifefish is a nocturnal species of tropical fish with a long, knife-like body. This knifefish is often confused with Chitala chitala, the latter species is very rare in the aquarium trade.
Life cycle
- 1.hatchling fryA tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
- 2.juvenileA juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
- 3.adultFully grown at adult size and coloration.
Learn more
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Osteoglossiformes
- Family
- Notopteridae
- Genus
- Chitala
- Species
- Chitala ornata