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	raising clown knifes
BeastKeeper Big Fish Posts: 444 Kudos: 389 Votes: 47 Registered: 27-Apr-2004	my store has 3 clowm knifes and they all look great but with some people that come to petsmart, i dont want to risk them going to a bad home. so i was wondering if i could put the 3 in my 55usg till what size ____. then ill sell two of them and keep the healthiest one. is this a good plan?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Jason_R_S Moderator Posts: 2811 Kudos: 2421 Votes: 391 Registered: 18-Apr-2001	I'd say no...unless you plan on a several hundred gallon tank in the next year or so. clown knife fish get several feet long and wouldn't do for very long in a 55 gallon.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	you can keep the 3 in your 55 gallon tank. Im not sure how fast they grow, but i do know with BGK's their growth slows at around 5". Although i have seen a HUGE clown (about as big (length and as tall) as a 55 gallon aquarium i have seen it recommended for them to be put in a 150 gallon aquarium or more (although it seems kinda small and all)
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Jason_R_S Moderator Posts: 2811 Kudos: 2421 Votes: 391 Registered: 18-Apr-2001	well according to some quick research I did before replying to this thread, a BGK only grows to about half the size of a clown knife which means the clown knife will likely grow much larger before growth slows down. chances are, and granted I have no experience with knifefish at all, but I'd guess a 55 would only do for about 6-8 months...1 year tops. then a much, much larger tank would be needed even for just the one.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
betahex Fish Addict Posts: 864 Kudos: 352 Votes: 0 Registered: 11-Jul-2001	not even 1 would fit in a 55, in my opinion. and for the record, it's not your job to make sure the clown knife get a good home, that job belongs to the employees. and regardless, if you did buy all 3 clown knives, the pet store would get some more in eventually.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
BeastKeeper Big Fish Posts: 444 Kudos: 389 Votes: 47 Registered: 27-Apr-2004	betahex, i do work at the lfs and no were will not get any more in. one will end up in 135usg gallons and one to my 125usg and the other will be donated. the reason i cant put them in now is because of the larger cichlds in the tank. im raising them in the 55 till the right size so they can go in the tank.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Janna Mega Fish Posts: 1386 Registered: 24-Aug-2003	A 135 gallon, or a 125 gallon, just isn't big enough. They get about 3-4 feet long! Besides, if one will be donated back to the LFS anyway, why would you get 3? I think it would be best if you chose a different fish to put in your tank. These are one of those tank-busters that just shouldn't be sold for home aquarie. They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes, They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver, So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
me is already in use Fish Addict Posts: 596 Kudos: 99 Votes: 25 Registered: 02-Dec-2003	I think beastkeeper meant he will donate the clown knife to another owner.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
BeastKeeper Big Fish Posts: 444 Kudos: 389 Votes: 47 Registered: 27-Apr-2004	im donating the clown to the st. louis city museum world aquarium exhibit.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
r0b3y Enthusiast Posts: 261 Kudos: 262 Votes: 41 Registered: 07-Nov-2004	my lfs has a huge one in a 50gallon or so tank.. it doesnt moove much and is missing one eye .. r0b3y
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	beast, are you aure they will take it when it gets older? ALso, that sucks, since 50 gallons are only 3' long, the thing is probably cramped in your LFS
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Darthannihl8or Enthusiast Posts: 206 Kudos: 140 Votes: 20 Registered: 27-Apr-2003	r0b3y. Can you please PM me with your location and the name of this local fish shop. I'm just wondering if it;s the same shop I've seen a clown knife at.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
dragon Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 15 Votes: 1 Registered: 18-Mar-2003	I had a clown knife in my 115 ukgall tank & within a reletively short time it was not comfotable in the tank grow very large quickly if given room & food nice looking fish but not ideal for most home enthusiasts gav to a local shop to put in their very large display/show tank
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Toirtis Mega Fish Posts: 1260 Kudos: 529 Votes: 6 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	They do grow quite quickly....with good water conditions and sufficient, quality food, you can expect a 3" clown knife to hit 18"-20" within a year.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57


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