Knife fish fun facts

• Knife fish are usually nocturnal although they tend to be active in the day once in a while. They could swim forwards and backwards with the same relative ease.

• These tropical fish are very flexible and can literally turn in its body length as it changes direction.

• Knife fish have poor eyesight and they rely on their sensitive lateral lines to feel around its surroundings. They usually sneak behind their prey and swallow it whole which doesn’t make it a suitable companion for other small fish.

• These fish are very shy and panicky when changes occur in their environment.

Knife fish care

Keeping a knife fish in an aquarium needs certain requirements. A lot of things should be considered such as their large size, their companions, the acidity of the water and the lighting as well as their hiding place.

Knife fish in artificial fish tank

Due to their large size (10-13 inches), knife fish need to be housed in a large aquarium, which should be around 55 gallons when they are smaller and 300 gallons when they are larger. The pH of the water should be neutral to basic and the hardness should be softer. They need to have a hiding place during the day. These fish tolerate larger fish than themselves but never smaller fish as they can eat smaller fish at any moment.

Description

This fish are known for their serene nature and bright colors. This makes them a popular choice as aquarium pet. Male mollies have a thinner body and longer tailfin than their female counterparts.

Habitat

Mollies live amongst plants in a group of fish also known as a school. They breed rapidly therefore their numbers have to be limited in an artificial fish tank. They have many predators, including birds and reptiles, due to their small stature.

Diet

Mollies feed on both plants and animals, which makes them omnivorous fish. Their diet is comprised of invertebrates including small insects, bloodworms, algae and food particles.

Breeding

The fish give birth to live young, unlike many other tropical fish that lay eggs. They give birth only a few weeks after fertilization occurred and the number of offspring per birth can be as many as 100. Unfortunately, the molly is considered an endangered species of fish.