Current Dilema!

[lozronz]

Hey, does anyone know if African Knife fish like to stay in groups or be by themselves?

I read that the weak electrical current that they produce interfere with each other but I can't seem to find whether that was between species (like the elephant nose fish or the clown knife) or whether it was relevant to there own kind.

cheers

 

[Dwarfs]

I have only kept african brown knife fish (Xenomystus nigri) and I kept them singly, although I have read of them being kept together. Mine does fine by itself, but if someone says that they can be kept together, then go ahead

 

[lozronz]

Whenever I have seen them in the LFS they seem to hang aroung in a group but i'm not sure if thats just because they like the same hiding places.

Mine has just started coming out in the day finally (I know that they are noctural but they can be swayed!) I was hoping another one might encourage him out more because he is a lovely looking fish but I only see him at feeding time or when he's curious about another fish being put in the tank.

Any tips on getting them out more?

I had one years ago and he used to be out all the time but I can't remember how I achieved it!

 

[CFC]

Notopterid knife fishes such as the African knife and Asian knife's (clown, royal etc) have no electrical capabilty, only the South American knife fishes posses this ability.

There may be trouble between Notopterid knife fishes over territory but in a large enough tank keeping multiple specimins should be ok, i would suggest at least 20 gallons per fish for the smaller species like the African knife and at least 50 gallons per fish for the larger species.

 

[andywg]

I agree with what CFC says. I currenlty have two BGK in a 6x2x2 and have witnessed nothing other than the occasional spat over who sits where.

 

[lozronz]

Cool, so they don't have the electrical thing, does anyone know what the bell like noise they make once in a while is then? I thought that was them doing the electric thing!

What I meant is, would they prefer to be kept in a group or do they not care either way? Do they shoal in their natural environment?

The tank size is o.k I have an exMaidenhead aquatics display tank sat in a friends garage just waiting to be used and its huge it must be 6x3x2 or so but the knifefish seems to have slowed down growing at 5" so it will be a while till I need to get that out. Plus I need to make sure the floar boards would take it!

I was just wondering if I could make him more sociable by pairing him up?

 

[0x0000ff]

.... I can't believe some of the advice and misinformation recited online as gospel in regards to Knife Fish.
I don't want to start an argument, so i'm not going to dispute it further then that..

It's a very slow forum, but if you check out FORUM NAME REMOVED (just google it) someone over there would definately give you an accurate response.





In my opinion and experience, I wouldn't do it. They CAN live together in a HUGE area, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

 

[andywg]

.... I can't believe some of the advice and misinformation recited online as gospel in regards to Knife Fish.
I don't want to start an argument, so i'm not going to dispute it further then that..

It's a very slow forum, but if you check out FORUM NAME REMOVED (just google it) someone over there would definately give you an accurate response.





In my opinion and experience, I wouldn't do it. They CAN live together in a HUGE area, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Define "HUGE" to me. And rather than just state some advice is rubbish (without stating which that is) why not actually have the guts to say what you think is wrong and back it up with some experience, or better yet: scientific evidence.

Until you do something more substantial than a random blast and advert for another forum I shall ignore your comments.

 

[Aleksander]

Cool, so they don't have the electrical thing, does anyone know what the bell like noise they make once in a while is then? I thought that was them doing the electric thing!

What I meant is, would they prefer to be kept in a group or do they not care either way? Do they shoal in their natural environment?

The tank size is o.k I have an exMaidenhead aquatics display tank sat in a friends garage just waiting to be used and its huge it must be 6x3x2 or so but the knifefish seems to have slowed down growing at 5" so it will be a while till I need to get that out. Plus I need to make sure the floar boards would take it!

I was just wondering if I could make him more sociable by pairing him up?

You're supposed to introduce knifefish at a similar time, because they tend to get very territorial. I have one that's been moved around in a few different aquariums due to attacking other fish (not just knifefish.) Sometimes you can get away with introducing different knife species at different times, I got lucky with bringing a clown into my aquarium last year before I knew enough about knifefish to know I shouldn't have done that. I wouldn't reccommend it though.

 

[AMS]

I can't comment on the other species of knives, but I can tell you about Xenomystus nigri. In the wild these guys tightly shoal as juveniles, as they mature they then loosely shoal. In aquaria juveniles can be kept together with no bickering among themselves, but adults need their territory. Adults need about 30 gallons per specimen and should be kept in a group of no less than 4. If kept in a shoal of less than 4 fighting becomes overwhelming.

 

[Nevergone815]

I can't comment on the other species of knives, but I can tell you about Xenomystus nigri. In the wild these guys tightly shoal as juveniles, as they mature they then loosely shoal. In aquaria juveniles can be kept together with no bickering among themselves, but adults need their territory. Adults need about 30 gallons per specimen and should be kept in a group of no less than 4. If kept in a shoal of less than 4 fighting becomes overwhelming.

AMS from my research i found that this is true for ALL knifefish. they tend to want to be in as large a group as possible when juveniles, but quickly get very territorial aggressive as they mature. it's best to just get one because finding homes for say 10 other knifefish won't be easy lol.

i am jsut verifying that AMS is right on the juvenile schooling and saying htat i found out that it is for ALL knifefish (though my research could be wrong or i can be mistaken as i researched this a while ago).

to answer the main qustion, they can get along fine and actually prefer it for most of their lives if they are kept single. we are talking very young juveniles that like to be in groups and that is a survival instinct. your knife will be fine if you bought only one.