African Knife Fish
Xenomystus nigri
Family: Notopteridae • Origin: Various
African Knife Fish (Xenomystus nigri) is a semi-aggressive other reaching 12 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank: 75 gallons.
Min Tank
75 gal
Max Size
12"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
14 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressiveadvancedcarnivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 12"
- • Temp: 75-82°F
- • pH: 6.5-7.5
- • Can be kept alone
- • semi-aggressive temperament
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet for Notopteridae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical semi-aggressive Notopteridae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 75 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 113 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- Yes
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Typical semi-aggressive Notopteridae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 14 years
Ideal For
75 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Bichir Senegal
Polypterus senegalus
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.575+ gal
semi-aggressive12"
Archer Fish
Toxotes jaculatrix
77-86°FpH 7-875+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 4+10"
Elephant Nose
Gnathonemus petersii
73-82°FpH 6.5-7.575+ gal
peaceful9"
Fire Eel
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.5125+ gal
semi-aggressive36"