Above: In the picture, is a nice premium quality Marble Granite Knifefish swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are fabulous looking fish, with a unique pattern.

Origin: These Knifefish are found in South America, where they are collect and shipped to us. So that now you can find many living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, this Knifefish can grow to be about 10" long, and sometimes larger if fed properly and the water quality is very good.

Behaviors: Knifefish are usually semi-aggresive fish. They are predators and will eat small fish that fit into their mouths.

Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include, community fish that aren't small enough to fit into their mouths.

Knifefish can be curious and nip at other tankmates fins, so be careful when choosing fish for your aquarium.

Fish that are too aggressive will not do well with these fish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: this Knifefish lives best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to this Knifefish.

Smaller sized pellets when they're small, and larger sized pellets when they're bigger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: They are used to softer alkaline water, but these fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: This Knifefish will do fine in an aquarium with at least 50-gallons of water when small, but will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water.

Decor: Knifefish do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, Knifefish are sometimes known to pick at the leaves of plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal wild fish set up.

Better is a 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Knifefish can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer lives.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when breeding occurs, it may be easier to tell if the female may become plumper, as they fill with eggs.

Breeding: There is no known reports of this wild fish breeding in captivity.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are somewhat popular in the hobby.

Names: The scientific name for Marble Granite Knifefish is Steatogenys sp.

Variations: We do not know of any variations, but this fish lives across a wide region in South America, so there might be variations.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Wild Fish, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.