The Jackknife Fish has a silvery body marked by a pair of black stripes across the face. A similarly colored stripe goes from the tip of the tall dorsal fin to the tail.

It requires a peaceful community in a 75 gallon or larger aquarium with a sandy bottom and abundant places to hide. Live sand and a refugium can help provide natural foods. It tends to hide during the acclimation process to the new aquarium until it feels secure.

Regular meals consisting of a variety of live items such as black worms and brine shrimp and prepared meaty items should bring it out of hiding. The Jackknife will comb the sandy bottom looking for worms, crustaceans, and small fish if it is hungry. It may even eat the occasional fireworm.