Common Names: African Knife Fish, African Brown Knife
Scientific Name: Xenomystus nigri
Family: Notopteridae
Origin: West Africa in the Niger River, and the upper Nile River.
Maximum size: 12 inches
Care: Requires a well planted tank of at least 55 gallons. Tempature 73-82 degrees. Soft water, pH level of 5.9-7.1, (6.2-6.7 being ideal) Many hiding spaces and caves are an absolute must because this fish rarely comes out during the day. Will usually find a good hiding place and make it the "home" during the day. May benefit from the addition of a LITTLE salt, but definately NOT a brackish fish. I personally have never added salt to my AKF's tank.
Feeding: Being predators, they will eat any type of live foods small enough to fit in their mouths. They also will accept almost all frozen/freeze dried foods, worms being favorites.
Sexing: Difficult, but females are sometimes more colorful, espically during spawning.
Breeding: Breeding is difficult and rare.
Temperment: For the most part peaceful, but do not house with small fish or large/aggressive fish. Ideal tank mates include gouramis, angels, most loaches, and most medium sized (6-13 inches) peaceful fish.

This post has been edited by penguinpimp1990: Jan 21 2006, 05:10 AM