Successfully Keeping A Black Ghost Knife

[WhoFlungPoo]

I've been fascinated with the black ghost knife fish ever since I saw one swimming around at my LFS. After doing some in depth research and finding some awesome pics, I realized my currently 28 gal. setup is not ideal as the BGK will outgrow my tank. My question mostly directed towards those of you who have successfully raised a BGK from their store bought size to their final adult size of over a foot long...

what tips do you have for someone who wants to keep and grow a healthy BGK?

information such as but not limited to: starting to ending tank size, water parameters, tank mates, feeding options and schedule, substrate, etc...

thanks!

-Greg

 

[DarkEntity]

I've been fascinated with the black ghost knife fish ever since I saw one swimming around at my LFS. After doing some in depth research and finding some awesome pics, I realized my currently 28 gal. setup is not ideal as the BGK will outgrow my tank. My question mostly directed towards those of you who have successfully raised a BGK from their store bought size to their final adult size of over a foot long...

what tips do you have for someone who wants to keep and grow a healthy BGK?

information such as but not limited to: starting to ending tank size, water parameters, tank mates, feeding options and schedule, substrate, etc...

thanks!

-Greg

Like most fish if you want them to reach their optimum size then provide similar water conditions to their wild habitat rite down to PH etc. Then feed good foods with plenty of vitamins, minerals and well just a balanced diet. Obviously you need to think about their final size then plan the tank around that, small tanks will slow growth to the point of sometimes stunting the fish.

Tank mates for a BGK...anything they cant eat, and that isn't too greedy so that foods will sink to the bottom and the Knife will get to them.

 

[Mr._Fishy]

You also wouldn't want to keep something very aggressive, as their skin is very delicate.

As for tank size, aim for nothing less than 24" wide and 4' long. This fish can grow to 18"+, so they need a very large tank. Mine is around 10" and lives in a 6' x 2'. They also will grow fairly quickly, so make sure you have a large tank in line when you buy them.

When you buy them, they are probably wild caught, and it take some coaxing to get them to take frozen food. While they are small, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and other small meaty foods are good. When they get bigger, shrimp and krill are good.

They do need excellent water quality (pretty much the same as a puffer) and soft acidic water.

Ryan