Clown Knife

Clown Knife Fish are a genuinely unique fish species that can immediately be the focal point of any aquarium setup. However, owning a Clown Knife Fish is not for unexplained aquarists or the faint of heart. These fish require meticulous care and equipment setups that are usually not found in home aquariums. Another reason they don’t tend to be housed in at-home aquariums is their large size. The Clown Knife Fish can reach a length of 40 inches.

The Clown Knife Fish is a unique member of the Notopteridae family, usually endemic to Southern Asia in locations such as Thailand, Malaysia, India, Borneo, and Sumatra. They get their name from their attractive blade-shaped appearance. That unique body shape has made them a trendy choice in the aquarium hobby. Clown Knife Fish can also be found in Florida, where they are considered invasive. They were believed to be thrown into canals around Lake Ida, Florida. The belief is that these large fish were thrown into the canals once they grew too big for their tanks. Unfortunately, this makes sense, as these fish can grow quite quickly and reach lengths of around 40 inches.

Also known as Featherback Fish or the Spotted Knife Fish, the Clown Knife is unique not only for its appearance but also because of some things it can do. The Clown Knife Fish has been known to swim both forward and backward. The ability to swim backward makes this fish even more unique in a tank setting. Another feature that sets the Clown Knife Fish apart is their mouth. They have large mouths with many small teeth. The large mouth of the Clown Knife Fish makes them an even better predator, primarily since they are known to be a very aggressive species.