Black Ghost Knifefish theoretical tank

[lionfishlover123]

this is going to be in a 55 gallon tank

-1 BGK(my fav)
-2 common plecos
-1 rubbernose pleco
-1 gold dojo loach
-2-3 bala sharks( may or maynot put these in; give me your opinion)
+(any other suggested fish)

tell me if this will work or if it wont. If it wont tell me why.
according to the live aquaria chart it should work (http/www.liveaquaria.com/general/fwcompatibility_chart.cfm)
with exception to the BGK(he is not listed

 

[Fella]

Bala Sharks are schooling and would need a bigger tank so I would rule those out. I'd also rule out the dojo loach, as they are typically coldwater and a BGK tank would need to be tropical.

With that number of plecos it'd be worth considering a lot of filtration though.

Good luck

 

[lionfishlover123]

With that number of plecos it'd be worth considering a lot of filtration though.

Good luck

[snapback]897856[/snapback]​

why? Do the plecos create a lot of waste? What about puffers? would they fit in or would it be a bad idea? What would some other good tank mates?

 

[Erised]

Plecs are pretty much the messiest fish around and create a massive bioload. I personally wouldn't even recommend keeping 1 common plec in a 55G, let alone 2. You might want to concider a smaller type of plec.

Puffers are a no go as well, not only are they really messy fish too, they should be kept in species only tanks. They can and will nip if not kill the fish kept in with them.

What to keep with a BGK though, I wouldn't know, sorry. Though, if I remember correctly, doesn't a BGK need a 75G min? Mind you, I might be very wrong on that.

 

[plainlazy]

Yeah Plecos create a ton of waste..
Puffers are probably a bad idea with bgk, as the knifes have alot of fin underneath for the puffers to nip at. But I've never put a puffer in with mine so I can't say for sure.
I've heard that African Butterfly fish are good in a bgk tank, I plan on trying it out when the lfs is ready to sell them. But pretty much any fish over 2 inches will work with a bgk. Mine is 10 inches long and he lives with 8 tetras. He hasnt touched any of them, but he eats any and all ghost shrimp I put in there. I think he may eat the tetras if he gets hungry enough but who knows..

 

[Jox]

I heard BGKs need at least a 75G. They get bigger then you think (I think). Those Plecos create some waste and the balas are schooling fish that get pretty big. If you want a knife try looking for an African Knife (Xenomystus nigri). I have one in my 55G. I was lucky to find him/her. I found it in a great pet shop that specializes in fish and it was with some small clown knifes and it looked the same cept it was brown. They get to around 8 inches in captivity. I don't know how big mine is because I can't really measure a live fish unless I want to hurt it. He eats live earthworms, feeder guppies/shrimp and frozen mysis shrimp (don't over feed) and I did give him a meal worm once. He has a big appetite and needs something to hide into as it is a nocturnal fish that can be used to day feeding. Good luck with your aquarium there

 

[andywg]

Black Ghost Knives get up to around 20" so you need a tank at least 18+" front to back.

Balas really need a 180 US gallon tank to provide adequate room for a good size shoal.

Common plecs could be any one of a number of different species or hybrid and as such their maximum size could be anywhere from 12" to 18" and beyond (with few getting much past 24"). So again, a 55 gallon may not be the best choice for them.

Also with a rubber nose plec staying around the 3 to 4" mark and the BGK with a top size of 20" he is quite possibly going to end up as lunch one day. I've said it before and it always happens on here. People tend to own BGKs that are 8" and say their's is fine with tetras forgetting that it is less than half grown. I would not recommend fish less than 4" or without a deep body shape for tank mates to a BGK.

I would certainly say if you can find an African Brown Knife go for that and then instead of common plecs you could put some L numbered ones that look stunning but don't grow past 6 to 8" (L254, L333, L128 and L200 spring instantly to mind, though there are plenty of other fantastic ones too).

HIH and wasn't too harsh

Andy