Chitala Chitala

[cane76]

i know the index says they need 6x3x2 but will one be ok in a 7x32"x2 its near enough aint it?if it outgrows that tank i would have to give it away.also do they mix well with rays?i intend getting one of the smaller arownas too would they get on?

 

[CFC]

I have a fairly small (12") Chitala blanci (Royal knife) with my rays and its so far so good, though i am keeping a very watchfull eye for any signs of aggression and then the knife will be removed, Chitala species have some quite formidable teeth and can do a lot of damage fairly quickly so any tankmate is a risk should you get an aggressive one.

Which arowana was you thinking of getting? Scleropages arowana's (Asians and Australians) tend to be very aggressive toward anything even remotely similarly shaped so probably wouldnt mix too well with a clown knife, a black arowana may be ok but there is mixed feelings over the eventual size of these, while i've never heard of one over 2 feet all the litterature says they can grow as large as silvers (40") so that 7 foot tank may end up being a bit cramped.

 

[cane76]

im gonna try the knife fish and keep a good eye on them as you do and if it dont work i was thinking about a jardini but i hear thats risky.so maybe a red or a red tailed gold if i can find one or the asian green.what do you think?i will be waiting till i get the new tank before buying so i have time to pick.

 

[CFC]

A jardini is a definate risk, i was lucky enough to keep my jardini with rays for a while before its aggression got too much and i had to seperate them. Mine is a very placid jardini, most wont except any tankmates at all and once they are over a foot are more than capable killing most other fish, mine lives unpeacefully with various medium aggressive cichlids, a few shovelnose catfish (sorubims, not tigers) and a dorado but i wouldnt put anything i would be devastated to lose in that tank.

 

[cane76]

were your rays in risk of being killed by the jardini?do rays use their sting on tankmates if harrased?

 

[CFC]

A jardini could quite easily kill a ray, they can infact kill all but the toughest and most aggressive fishes, on a rating of 1-10 for aggression jardini's get a easy 8.

Rays very rarely sting tankmates, ive never heard of it happening (though it expect it has happened). A ray that is being picked on is much more likely to burrow into the sand and if the bullying continues the ray will become stressed, stop eating and die.

 

[cane76]

i got a clown knife earlier today im gonna see how they get on.is there a arowna that could share with a ray and a clown knife?and wont outgrow the new tank

 

[CFC]

You could try a black arowana which usually dont grow much past 2 feet in captivity, though the 7 foot length of the tank is pushing it a bit for space, 8 feet (or bigger) would be better in the long term.

 

[cane76]

i could put another foot on the length or even 2 if budget allows but its the width thats the problem.i may have to remove a radiator to get an extra 3 or 4".there is only one spot in my house it can go.i cant find much info on black arowna or any pics