{"product_id":"albino-knife-fish","title":"Albino Knife Fish","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlbino Knife Fish (Chitala ornata – Albino Form)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe Albino Knife Fish is a spectacular and unusual freshwater predator recognised for its long, blade-shaped body, flowing undulating fin, and striking pale colouration. An albino form of the Clown Knife Fish, it typically displays a creamy white to pale pink body with red or pink eyes, creating a dramatic appearance as it glides effortlessly through the aquarium.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough often sold as juveniles, Albino Knife Fish grow exceptionally large and require a substantial aquarium as adults. They are primarily nocturnal and appreciate caves, driftwood, and shaded areas where they can retreat during the day. Their eventual size and predatory nature make them best suited to experienced aquarists with the space to accommodate them long term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApprox.\u003c\/strong\u003e 10cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhysical Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size: \u003c\/strong\u003eApproximately 80–100cm, with exceptionally large specimens capable of growing larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eBody Shape: \u003c\/strong\u003eLong, laterally compressed, knife-shaped body with an extended anal fin used to propel the fish forwards and backwards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eColouration: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eCreamy white to pale pink colouration with pink or red eyes characteristic of the albino form\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSexual Dimorphism: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eMales and females are difficult to distinguish visually\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eLifespan: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eApproximately 10–15 years or more with appropriate care\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Temperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament: \u003c\/strong\u003eSemi-aggressive and predatory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming Level: \u003c\/strong\u003eMiddle to lower levels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Behaviour: \u003c\/strong\u003eGenerally solitary and may become territorial towards similar-shaped fish. Smaller fish may be viewed as prey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eRecommended Group Size: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eBest kept singly unless housed in an exceptionally large aquarium with carefully selected tank mates\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size: \u003c\/strong\u003e750 litres or larger recommended for an adult, with considerably more space beneficial for fully grown specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWater Temperature: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003epH Range: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWater Hardness: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSoft to moderately hard water\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWater Flow: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eGentle to moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSubstrate: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSand or smooth gravel\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eAquascape: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eProvide large caves, driftwood, shaded retreats, and extensive open swimming space\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eLighting: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eLow to moderate lighting preferred\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlbino Knife Fish\u003c\/strong\u003e are carnivorous predators and require a varied, protein-rich diet appropriate to their size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable Foods: \u003c\/strong\u003eQuality carnivore pellets, prawns, mussels, earthworms, insects, krill, and suitable frozen foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eFrequency: \u003c\/strong\u003eJuveniles benefit from smaller regular meals, while larger adults can receive appropriately sized meals several times per week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable Tank Mates: \u003c\/strong\u003eLarge peaceful to semi-aggressive fish that are too large to be swallowed, including suitably sized large catfish, large barbs, robust cichlids, and other compatible large aquarium species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eAvoid Housing With: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSmall fish, shrimp, highly aggressive species, fin-nipping fish, and tank mates small enough to be considered prey\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpawning Type: \u003c\/strong\u003eEgg layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty: \u003c\/strong\u003eAdvanced and uncommon in home aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes: \u003c\/strong\u003eTheir very large adult size makes breeding impractical for most home aquariums. Successful reproduction requires substantial space and carefully controlled conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlbino Knife Fish become extremely large and should only be purchased when suitable long-term accommodation can be provided.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey are skilled predators and may consume surprisingly large tank mates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide secure caves and shaded areas to accommodate their naturally nocturnal behaviour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA secure, tight-fitting aquarium lid is essential as large knife fish can jump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowerful filtration and regular water changes are required due to their size and substantial waste production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduct Photo is for reference only. Exact fish may vary in size and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knife Fish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59819361796382,"sku":"AQ 684","price":119.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2074\/2485\/files\/Albino_Knife_Fish.webp?v=1787260216","url":"https:\/\/www.petessentialswarehouse.co.nz\/products\/albino-knife-fish","provider":"Pet Essentials Warehouse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}