#tigerknife #gymnotus #electric

Today we are featuring an unusual and attractive fish that I got a while ago. It’s a false tiger knife fish and appears to be Gymnotus javari based on my research. These fish are native to South America, particularly the western Amazon and associated upland streams. This fish is part of the "naked back knife fish" family (Gymnotidae).

I was lucky enough to have picked mine up at the Glass Box Tropical Fish store in Port Orchard Washington! Check them out here: https://theglassboxtropicalfish.com/

These curious fish have an unusual knifelike shape. They have long cylindrical bodies that taper into a pointy tail. Their upturned mouths make for an interesting way of picking up food from the bottom of the tank. They have a long, fused ventral fin which undulates and allows them to swim forward and backwards quite easily.

One of the most curious aspects of these fish is that they use electrical impulses to sense their environment which helps them hunt for food. They are related to electric eels but are unable to generate enough current to stun prey. It is thought that they use the electric fields to communicate with each other as well.

As you can see, they have a beautiful striped pattern and striking coloration. They are thought to be part of a species complex which makes it difficult to identify the exact species of fish especially since the patterns can vary a lot. In the wild, several species of these will live in the same area. These are thought to grow between 811”. They do best in slightly acidic water with pH of around 6.2 but are generally adaptable up to ph 7.4. I keep it at a temperature of 78 degrees fahrenheit.

Gymnotus javari are known to be aggressive with their own kind and other knife fish but thankfully they don’t really have the teeth or bite power to do any significant damage. Still, it’s best to keep only one of these per tank. Tankmates can include any fish or invertebrates that are too big to eat.

In the wild they eat insect larvae and small crustaceans. This is a shy fish but does learn to come out for feeding. I’ve been able to feed it bloodworms and also Hikari Vibrabites. I also have a feeling that from time to time it catches and eats some of the cherry shrimp it shares its tank with. I recommend keeping this in at least a 55 gallon tank. Make sure there’s plenty of cover for it to hide in so it feels secure. You can even get a clear acrylic "knife fish cave" which it will take shelter in but it will still be viewable.

I’m really enjoying this tiger knife fish! If you come across one and have the ability to keep it, I highly recommend picking it up. It’s certainly a beautiful and entertaining fish. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, please leave a comment! As always, thanks for watching and happy fishkeeping!

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