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.
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