(LL) Bronze Featherback Knife Fish (Notopterus notopterus) [4 inches]

Description

Bronze Featherback Knife Fish (Notopterus notopterus)

📌 Basic Info

Scientific Name: Notopterus notopterus
Common Names: Bronze Featherback, Asiatic Knifefish, Asian Featherback, Bronze Knife Fish
Family: Notopteridae (Featherbacks and Knifefishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (same order as Arowanas)
Origin: South and Southeast Asia — India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
Size: Up to 24 inches (60 cm)
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Tank Zone: Mid to bottom dweller

🌊 Water Parameters

TDS: 100 – 300 ppm
pH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 25 – 30°C (77 – 86°F)
Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH

🐟 Characteristics

Body: Long, laterally compressed knife-like body with a continuous fin running from the mid-body to the tail.
Coloration: Shiny bronze to silver body with darker dorsal shading; some may show faint vertical markings.
Behavior: Shy when young but becomes semi-aggressive as it grows; territorial with its kind.
Swimming Style: Moves gracefully using its long undulating anal fin — typical knife fish movement.

🍽️ Food

Type: Carnivorous
Diet: Live or frozen foods such as prawns, bloodworms, small fish, earthworms, and pellets.
Feeding: Feed 1–2 times daily; prefers feeding at night or under dim light.

🛠️ Maintenance

Tank Size: Minimum 250 gallons (900 L) for adults; needs long tanks for swimming.
Filtration: Strong filtration — sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.
Decor: Provide driftwood, caves, or PVC pipes for hiding; keep open central area for swimming.
Lighting: Dim or subdued; avoid bright lights.
Water Change: 25–30% weekly with stable temperature and pH.

👥 Social Behavior

Minimum Group Size: Solitary or single specimen recommended.
Tank Mates: Compatible with large, non-aggressive fish such as Arowanas, large Barbs, or Plecos.
Avoid: Small fish — may be eaten; other Knife Fish — territorial conflicts likely.

✅ Do’s

Keep in large tanks with hiding spots.
Maintain stable water parameters.
Provide high-protein diet.
Use gentle lighting to reduce stress.

❌ Don’ts

Don’t keep with small fish species.
Don’t use strong, direct lighting.
Don’t house multiple Featherbacks together in small tanks.

⭐ Quick Tips

The Bronze Featherback is one of the most graceful and elegant knife fish species, admired for its smooth movements and metallic body tone.
It is hardy and adaptable, making it one of the easier large knife fish to maintain compared to the Aba Aba or Black Ghost.
Perfect for experienced aquarists with spacious aquariums and stable setups.