Clown Knifefish
Chitala ornata
What you need to keep a Clown Knifefish
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pH
6–7.5
Temperature
24–28 °C
Max size
100 cm
Min tank
1000 L
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Clown Knifefish.
What Clown Knifefish costs in South Africa
4 price points from 2 shops over 90 days
R350
cheapest of 1 shop today
SA median R300 across 2 shops over the last 90 days.
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Clown Knifefish is a distinctive and graceful predator from Southeast Asia, named for the large, eye-like spots (ocelli) that adorn its silvery, blade-shaped body. It swims using an undulating ribbon fin along its belly, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance. A nocturnal hunter, it captures prey with quick strikes and can consume surprisingly large food items relative to its body size. It is one of the most popular and recognisable monster fish in the hobby.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Clown Knifefish healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
A minimum 1000L aquarium suits Clown Knifefish. Use robust décor and sight breaks so each fish can hold its own space.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6–7.5 and 24–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Semi-aggressive. Watch it at feeding time and at lights-out to see its real temperament in your tank.
Tankmates
Choose robust tankmates of similar size, and nothing small enough to be eaten. Add Clown Knifefish last so territories reset.
Breeding
Clown Knifefish is rarely bred in captivity; most SA hobbyists buy from shops and breeders.
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R215–350 · Average: R271
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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