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

Comments: These are fabulous looking fish, with unique characteristics.

If you're interested in keeping a Knifefish, this is one of the best to start with, because it doesn't get too big, is very hardy, and is less aggressive than some other Knifefish.

Origin: This Knifefish is found in South America and is a wild fish.

But now you can find many of them living in aquariums all over the world after being captured by skillful collectors and shipped to us.

Maximum Size: In aquariums this Knifefish can grow to be about 12" long, and sometimes larger if fed properly and if the water quality is good.

Behaviors: Knifefish swim by undulating the long fin along the underside of its body.

It's rather startling to see one swim forwards and then backwards with equal ease.

This Knifefish will usually be nocturnal and hide from the light during the day.

There are special clear plastic tubes that these Knifefish will hide in, or at least they think they're hidden.

They sense their environment with an electric field that surrounds their bodies, and that field does not penetrate the plastic tube, so a Knifefish inside a clear plastic tube will think it's hidden.

Of course human eyes can see through the clear plastic tube, like the one shown just below.

Click here or on the picture, just above, to learn more about Lee's Ghost House.

Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include community fish that aren't small enough to fit in it's mouth.

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 often bite on a Knifefish's tail.

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 young and still small, and larger sized pellets when bigger, is the ideal food for these Knifefish.

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

Water Conditions: They prefer soft water with a low pH, 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 known to need live plants and sometimes pick at and eat the tenderest parts of the leaves.

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.

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, feed premium foods, and these Knifefish may live even longer lives.