Pictures: Click here to see several images.

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

Origin: These Knifefish are found along the coast in Northeastern South America, where they are collected and shipped to us.

So that now you can find a few of them living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, this Knifefish is very slender and can grow to be over 40" long or sometimes longer, if fed properly and the water quality is very good.

Behaviors: Knifefish are usually semi-aggressive fish. They are predators and will eat small fish that fit into their mouths. This species eats mostly invertebrates.

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 harm this knifefish and so are not recommended as tankmates.

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: Live invertibrates like small shrimp are the best food for this Knifefish.

Water Conditions: They are used to soft water with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.0, 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 at least two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal set up for this fish.

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 the females may become plumper, as they fill with eggs.

Breeding: There are 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 very rare in aquariums.

Names: The scientific name for Ossa Knifefish is Rhamphichthys rostratus.

Also called a Trumpet Nose Knifefish or more rarely an Elephant Nose Knifefish.

Variations: We don't know of any variations, but this fish lives across a wide region in South America, so there may 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.