Black Ghost Knife Fish - Would One Fit In With My Other Fish?

[jimn]

Hi, I was thinking of getting one of these as my LFS have some which are about 4 inches long. I have read they will prey on small fish. I have 1 x harlequin, 1x Cardinal Tetra & 1 x Leopard Danio ( these were all in a shoal but I am letting them die out ) If I introdcued the knife fish now would he go for these? ( I want them to die of natural causes not be eaten) If I was to get rid of these my other fish are hatchett fish, 2 x key hole cichilds,Glass catfish, clown loach, port hoplo and featherfin cat. Would the ghost knife fish be o.k with these? I have a 100l tank but should be getting a 310l tank next year. Thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yes the knife would def go for the rasboras, tetras etc

of the other fish the hatchets and glass cats may be in danger when the knife reaches it's full size (24") think the others would be big enough to escape.

 

[Soaup]

Wait Wait 24" Why would you even consider getting this fish!? Im used to gallons but 310L doesnt sound big enough at all. In a years time no less. IMO its worth more trouble to you than anything else, unless you plan on a larger tank.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Wait Wait 24" Why would you even consider getting this fish!? Im used to gallons but 310L doesnt sound big enough at all. In a years time no less. IMO its worth more trouble to you than anything else, unless you plan on a larger tank.

310l is around 84 gallons

it's fairly rare for BGK's to reach 24" in the home aquarium but you can reasonably expect 16-20"...... it's borderline too big for the tank IMO, depends on the tank's dimensions, i'm also not sure of activity levels etc with BGK's which impacts on the space they need.

 

[Soaup]

Wait Wait 24" Why would you even consider getting this fish!? Im used to gallons but 310L doesnt sound big enough at all. In a years time no less. IMO its worth more trouble to you than anything else, unless you plan on a larger tank.

310l is around 84 gallons

it's fairly rare for BGK's to reach 24" in the home aquarium but you can reasonably expect 16-20"...... it's borderline too big for the tank IMO, depends on the tank's dimensions, i'm also not sure of activity levels etc with BGK's which impacts on the space they need.

I mean unless the tank is a perfect sqauare i cant see it working. Ok so say the fish lives to reach 20". I have a 125 gallon tank 72"x24"x18". If i had a 20" BGK in that tank he wouldnt be able to turn around. I just cant see this being a good idea?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i had a 350l corner tank, was 3 foot down the back sides then 4 foot across the front from corner to corner, obv bit extra space cos it bulges out and around 2 foot tall.

You could fit a BGK in there (pushing it size wise but i think you could make it work....... just...... maybe) and that's not significantly bigger than the size he has..... like i say it depends on the dimensions, but however you cut the mustard it's on the small side.

 

[Soaup]

i had a 350l corner tank, was 3 foot down the back sides then 4 foot across the front from corner to corner, obv bit extra space cos it bulges out and around 2 foot tall.

You could fit a BGK in there (pushing it size wise but i think you could make it work....... just...... maybe) and that's not significantly bigger than the size he has..... like i say it depends on the dimensions, but however you cut the mustard it's on the small side.

Well said.. Did some research it says they rarely reach 20" most usually top out around 12" but it is not confirmed if this is because they are 12" in captivity, in a tank thats not big enough for them.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah there's always the debate over weather they usually just make that size cos of the smaller space in aquariums or if they just 'naturally' don't get as big in captivity whatever sized tank you give them.

 

[blackghostknifefish1995]

so a baby biorb is way 2 small then??HELLO IS ANYONE GUNNA BOTHER TO ANSWER

 

[stang1]

so a baby biorb is way 2 small then??HELLO IS ANYONE GUNNA BOTHER TO ANSWER

Answered on your other thread.

 

[Jeff Lange]

well, I have my BGK in a 65 gallon tank with 2 lg angels, paired and laying eggs occasionally, 6 Coradora's, 2 Clown Loaches, 2 very small 1" max Otocinclus Catfish, and a 3" Royal Pleco. All my fish do very well together and have never had a problem really with my BGK except when I had a Rainbow shark. The Rainbow shark just harassed the BGK so I got rid of it.
I got my BGK when it was 3-4" and I'm guessing it is approx 7" now and that was 7 months ago. I spoil it and feed him usually 2x day @ 1/4 frozen cube of Bloodworms or Beefheart so he gets between 1/4 and 1/2 cube daily. I am trying to cut back and feed him just 1/4 cube day.
My BGK stays in a log as his home and he stays in that most of the day when the lights are on and if any other member of the community enters his log when he is there he scoots them out

 

[Davo86]

BGK's are relatively slow growing but will eventually max out close to 18inches,

IMO a tank size of around 250L will suffice for a good two years. However this in No way will be suitable for life and the fish should be upgraded to a tank in the region of 5 x 2 once it reaches 10inches.

 

[glolite]

Could you keep a BGK with a single oscar in a 300l?

 

[minxfishy]

For life, unfortunatley not, the ghost will need a larger tank eventually, also depends on the temprement of the Oscar, some are ok with them, others Ive been told, will use them as a toy and toss them around by their tails.

 

[glolite]

For life, unfortunatley not, the ghost will need a larger tank eventually, also depends on the temprement of the Oscar, some are ok with them, others Ive been told, will use them as a toy and toss them around by their tails.

Ouch!! I won't be doing that mix and match then