Black Ghostknife

[dnn3]

we recently got a 60 gal tank and we fell in love with bgk's so of course we got one.well now everyone is saying he should be in at least a 75 gal.can anyone tell me why?because it will be awhile before we can afford a bigger tank.

 

[crazyaussie]

because they can reach up to 50 cm wich is pretty big

 

[Mr._Fishy]

because they can reach up to 50 cm wich is pretty big

Ditto.

 

[nmonks]

The size of the tank depends on where you are! 75 US gallons equals 62 Imperial gallons, so if you are in the UK or Commonwealth, you don't really need to upgrade your tank for the sake of another two Imperial gallons!

It's also worth saying that these knifefish don't grow especially fast, and in fact most people don't have the skills to keep them alive for very long. What matters is water quality, and I'd never recommend anyone keep Apteronotus spp. in a 20-gallon tank however small. But in a 60-gallon tank a small specimen has the potential to do well for a good couple of years. Avoid overstocking, and be diligent with water changes, and you should be fine. As it grows, you can either upgrade the tank or sell the specimen on.

You can't keep them in pairs though, at least not in a relatively small tank. Very few electric fish tolerate other electric fish, of their own species or otherwise.

Cheers, Neale

we recently got a 60 gal tank and we fell in love with bgk's so of course we got one.well now everyone is saying he should be in at least a 75 gal.can anyone tell me why?because it will be awhile before we can afford a bigger tank.

 

[dnn3]

his tankmates are a polypteris,a botia loach,a krib, and 4 dwarf gouramis.too many or am i okay for now?

 

[Mr._Fishy]

The krib may get a little aggressive for the bgk's liking and depending to the species of polypterus, it may outgrow the tank and eat your dwarf gouramis. But for the amount of fish, you're fine. You could probably add a few more too.

Ryan

 

[dnn3]

thanks for the input ryan. iv'e been a member for less than a week and i think you've responded to at least 3 of my questions in other forums. all with good advice. i will eventually get the bgk and the poly in a bigger tank, they'll just have to be patient. and i'll have to be saving. i can always put the krib and the gouramis in my 30 gal. i would just have to get rid of some of the smaller fish in there.

 

[Mr._Fishy]

I am glad I could help. What kind of fish are in the 30g and how big are they? The gouramis are usually pretty peaceful, and the kribs (if you don't have a breeding pair) should do okay in a robust community.

As nmonks stated, the bgk should be okay for a couple years in that tank, so no need to rush. Depending on the species of poly, you may not need a bigger tank.

Ryan

EDIT: My current bgk grew grew 2 1/2" to 7" in 6 months, but he has since slowed down. But my first one grew fairly slowly throughout his life, only at about an inch every 3 months or so. The water quality was the same or better than the current one has. It may just depend on the individual as far as growth rates go.

 

[dnn3]

there are 2 female dalmation mollies, 1 male dalmation molly, a male and female swordtail, 1 krib, 1 plecostomus, a horse faced loach that i haven't seen since the day i bought him, and a chinese fire belly newt. oh, and 4 itty bitty swordtail babies in a breeder bag.

 

[Mr._Fishy]

What kind of pleco and what sex are the kribs? I have absolutely no idea on the newt, but I thought they liked only shallow puddles and some dry(ish) land.

Ryan

 

[dnn3]

i'm not sure what kind of pleco he is but he was one of the more expensive ones. as for the newt, he has been in this tank for at least ten years. this tank has been in my girlfriends family for about 15 years and it was given to us about 2 years ago and he came along with it. there was also 15 goldfish in it. after they all died ( thank god,worthless fish) that's when we started stocking the tank with "cool fish". we based the tank around the newt buying only fish that would not hurt him. he's very special to my girlfriend because she's the one who bought him when she still lived at home. she will be devestated when he dies.( i'm pretty fond of the little guy myself). as for the krib, she's the bullied little girl i talked about in the old world cichlids forum. of all our fish she's my personal favorite. and i forgot to mention there are also 3 skirt tailed tetras in there as well.

 

[nmonks]

Assuming these are Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, I'd not mix these with anything even halfway delicate, let alone Apteronotus albifrons. Far too nippy.

Cheers, Neale

i forgot to mention there are also 3 skirt tailed tetras in there as well.

 

[dnn3]

as far as i know those 3 have never bothered anyone in the tank. and 1 of them hit about the size of a dime and never grew anymore. the other 2 grew normally.

 

[nath1]

i wouldn.t feel bad about the size of your tank as there is someone over in members aquarium pictures who keeps a bgk in a fifty litre tank!!!
yours will have loads of space in comparison.
nath1

 

[Mr._Fishy]

i wouldn.t feel bad about the size of your tank as there is someone over in members aquarium pictures who keeps a bgk in a fifty litre tank!!!
yours will have loads of space in comparison.
nath1

It's not about what other people do, it's about what's good for the fish. It is no wonder very few live to over a foot long if people keep them in a 50l. Some people keep chimpanzees in a tiny bare cage, but that doesn't make it right, does it?

Back on topic. If the pleco isn't a common pleco, then chances are good that it will fit in that tank for life. I agree with nmonks, I wouldn't keep Gymnocorymbus ternetzi with a bgk either. Others may disagree but ime they can get pretty nippy.

Ryan