Aba Aba knife 14"-16" (Gymnarchus niloticus)

Common Name:  Aba, Aba Aba Knifefish, African Knifefish and Frankfish

 Scientific Name:  Gymnarchus niloticus  

Origin: The Knifefish is found only along the edges of the Nile, Niger, Volta, Chad, and Gambia Rivers of Africa.  

Size:  This monster fish can reach up to 5 ½ feet in length and weigh almost 42 pounds fully grown.  

Habitat: The Aba Aba is a nocturnal fish much like the Elephant nose. They travel and hunt at night using electrical signals to find food.  

Water:  In the rivers where Aba Aba Knifefish reside the temperature ranges from  74 - 82 F (23 - 28C)  and has a pH 6.5-8         

Diet: When in the wild African knife fish feast on crustaceans, insects and the fish native to their river. However, in the home aquarium they tend to prefer live feeder fish. A mixed diet should be attempted including shrimp, crustaceans and fish.  

Aquarium:  Gymnarchus niloticus requires a large tank of at least 200 gallons or even a pond to be kept in; due to its monstrous adult size. Aba Aba Knife fish are very aggressive with razor sharp teeth. They are best kept alone in the home aquarium.  Breeding: There have no reports of breeding Aba Aba Knifefish in a home aquarium. There are no known sexual differences to determine the sex of the fish. The only information known about their breeding is they are egg layers.