Black Ghost Knife

[Nativ3 Girl]

Two days ago i finally got my BGK. It was the fish i have been wanting to get since i started my 55 gal tank. I had to wait this long because my lfs didnt get them very often and the one they did have didnt look too good. so i waited.

Any ways i cant really find much literature on them and was wondering if anyone here has one? id love to hear your opinions.

Right now he/she is 1 1/2 - 2 inches and living in my 10 gal. hes only in my 10 gal for now because in my 55 gal he doesnt get any food. the other fish eat it before he will get any. once he is a little bigger and not hiding so much i will move him to the 55 gal.

opinions and experiences please.
Thanks

--Kass

[Deleted User]

You will find loads of info if you search using it's scientific name which is:-
Apteronotus albifrons Nice pick up I used to have one that was 18" :ssmile:
They are very shy fish even when adult.

[Deleted User]

Ok here is some info for you. Hope it helps. :ssmile:

Apteronotus albifrons

Common Names

Black Ghost
Black Ghost Knifefish
Black Knife

Temperament: Reclusive; Sometimes aggressive, but generally inoffensive and very shy.

Diet: Carnivore

Should be fed with bloodworms, brine shrimp, beefheart, and krill. Will also take defrosted frozen prawns & fresh mussles once it is large enough to do so. The Black Ghost Knifefish is timid and nocturnal. This fish can be kept with large, peacful fish. A large tank will be needed. Supplimental feeding after "lights out" is a must as this Knifefish is nocturnal and primarily feeds at night.If only fed during daylight hours other fish will eat the Knife fish's share also.

Caution any fish big enough to fit in it's mouth will become a meal.

pH: 6.0 - 8.0

Temperature: 23C - 26C (73F - 79F)

Hardness: 5 - 20 dH

Potential Size: Male: 19" Female:19"

Activity: Nocturnal

UV steralisers are a very useful with reguard to any knifefish aquarium,They help to prevent many diseases they simply cannot be saved from otherwise.

[Northernguy]

Kass got any pics yet?:19:
You do realize you will need a bigger tank for that fish soon!

[Nativ3 Girl]

Yes i will get a pic up soon maybe even a video.

Thank you celtic. i found a good amount of reading.

And from the stuff that ive read it said that 55 gal is the size tank it will need. will it need to be bigger than that? as for him being in the ten gallon i dont think he will grow very fast, none of the fish i have grow very quickly. i have a chocolate pleco that is still under 2 inches, same as when i bought him 5 or 6 months ago.

thanks everybody

[Deleted User]

Glad I could help. Can't wait to see what he looks like. They are really cool fish. thumbs2:

[Demi ^_^]

You need over 100g's to properly house the BGK comfortably :))

Make sure their are no sharp objects they can hurt themselves on!

[Nativ3 Girl]

Yes Demi, 100 gal would be needed for a 20 in black ghost knife which is the length that they have been recorded to growing to. But most bgk dont get much bigger than 10 to 12 sometimes 14 inches. If that happens to be the case with my little wiggler i will have to find a bigger home for him, i hope not though.

im uploading the pics and video right now.

[karbomb]

he'll be stunted in a 55 and definitely won't grow large enough to be allocated to a 100g. i agree with demi 100g is the way to go with a BGK, or at the very least a 75g.

[Red]

Agreed, 55 is to narrow for the BGK. A 55 will stunt its growth which shortens life span. A 75 is bare min. and 100 is the best.

[whitbyrob]

I added a 2" BGK to my 55g tank 1 1/2 yrs ago.
He is now about 10" and feeds out of my hand.
Awesome fish but probably needs bigger tank now, cant part with him though.