Chitala Ornata - in The Aquarium

In The Aquarium

Clown knifefish are sold as exotic fishes in pet stores, but they grow much too large for the average home aquarium. It is necessary to keep in mind that these fish will grow fast and very large even in captivity (about 50 cm), so should be kept in aquariums of at least 500 liters in order to reach their full growth potential. It is not advised to have tankmates small enough to be considered food.

These fish enjoy periods of retreat, so aquariums which have caves, plants, or other hiding places are preferred. They are jumpers, so the lid should be kept tightly closed (with weights - larger specimens may knock the lid out). Dim lighting may help lessen jumping issues. For the first few days, clown knifefish are shy and prone to hiding. As they grow larger they tend to be quite the opposite.

These fish have their own personalities, attaching themselves to their handlers to the point of being "hand-held" when moving or doing some maintenance.