The Behaviour Of Black Ghost Knifefish

[ringham]

OK well sorry for not using the "35 litres" that have been asked about in my answer.

Basicly you can keeo a BGK in a 35 litre tank but not for long! It will need to be upgraded to a bigger tank in the future, and if that is what you are planning to do then go for it!

 

[bunjiweb]

You could keep only a BGK as big as 3" in a 35L tank for a short period of time (weeks not months). Although I REALLY wouldn't suggest contemplating it. It is far better to wait until you have the correct size tank, which as i stated could be fairly large.

Ben

 

[beechey]

quick question slightly off topic but do any of you lot with BGK also have a red tail black shark??

the reason why im asking is that every now and then the RTBS attacks the BGK there about the same size about 3.5"

 

[bunjiweb]

When i first got my BGK i put it into my old 60G that had my RTBS in it. The RTB went crazy and wouldnt leave the BGK alone, flaring infront of it and zooming up and down the tank.

I took the RTBS out and put him into my other 4ft and the the BGK then became very confident and active, and has been ever since. As i said, he is one of the most active fish in my 6ft tank..

Ben

 

[beechey]

there not at it all the time, hope i dont have to seperate them....

i reckon the RTBS must think that the BGK is another shark due to it being jet black

 

[SamUK]

RTBS are jus moody lil sods when they start growing.


dnt think they like anybody.


and i wish you people would stop talkin about BGKs. i havent got mine yet

 

[McMurray]

i have a few questions over the BGK.

1. are they agressive to all fish or only its own kind?

2. when they are 18inch will they eat other fish? if so what is the minimum size of fish that should be kept.

3. are they omniverous?

 

[andywg]

Any fish under 3" is almost certainly on the menu.

I have seen no aggression from my two, to the other fish, or each other. Most people who say you can't keep two together have never actually kept one, let alone two. There was a bedding in period where each decided which cave it wanted, they then promptly started sleeping together and generally only get upset if one tries to take the other's food.

I don't htink they are truly omnivorous, I have never seen mine going for the beg that goes in the tank for the plecs, though they will take catfish pellets.

 

[McMurray]

Any fish under 3" is almost certainly on the menu.

I have seen no aggression from my two, to the other fish, or each other. Most people who say you can't keep two together have never actually kept one, let alone two. There was a bedding in period where each decided which cave it wanted, they then promptly started sleeping together and generally only get upset if one tries to take the other's food.

I don't htink they are truly omnivorous, I have never seen mine going for the beg that goes in the tank for the plecs, though they will take catfish pellets.

Cool I think 2 are on the menu for me but what i have read is they can live up to 10years. which is a bit scarry becaus ei have to introduce older fish into the tank.

 

[Jox]

My 10" BKG stays under the bogwood all the bloody time and will only come out when it's pitch black or when i'm asleep which doesn't make for the most exciting of pets. i just wondered if anyone had any hints or tips other than completely removing the bogwood to get the little bugger to come out

If you can get it to come out on its own that would be good. If it wants to stay in a spot it feels comfortable in I dont you should take that away from him.

Black ghosts are slow growing but will eventually need a bigger tank. They cannot be kept with anything else that uses an electrical current like African or south american knives and mormyrids. But stay fairly peaceful with other fish. You should gat an African brown knife. I have one around 6.5 inches and it spends some of its time in its log but cruises the tank every few minutes. Those are much better suited to your needs.

 

[SamUK]

well i got my BGK a while back and about 2 weeks after i built a massive rock mountain.

i realised jus as i finished that my BGK would go behind there never to be seen again lol.


i can check on him by going outside and leaning in through the window to the back of the tank but i cant wait till hes too big 2 hide!!!

 

[McMurray]

well i got my BGK a while back and about 2 weeks after i built a massive rock mountain.

i realised jus as i finished that my BGK would go behind there never to be seen again lol.


i can check on him by going outside and leaning in through the window to the back of the tank but i cant wait till hes too big 2 hide!!!

Well this is why i want then because they hide. I also have wood shrimp and pokodot loaches which also hide.
But i have made night lighting which bring out the night fish.. and some of my cory's

I just wanted to make sure they wouldnt eat all my fish when they got bigger.

Do the mouths of the fish stay the same size like discus fish?

 

[bunjiweb]

the mouth will grow as the fish grows.... your shrimps will probably be the first snack.

Ben

 

[McMurray]

the mouth will grow as the fish grows.... your shrimps will probably be the first snack.

Ben

If it can swallow my shrimp i would be worried they are about 7 cm long but i will have to move them from my other tanks first

 

[SamUK]

well i got my BGK a while back and about 2 weeks after i built a massive rock mountain.

i realised jus as i finished that my BGK would go behind there never to be seen again lol.


i can check on him by going outside and leaning in through the window to the back of the tank but i cant wait till hes too big 2 hide!!!

Well this is why i want then because they hide. I also have wood shrimp and pokodot loaches which also hide.
But i have made night lighting which bring out the night fish.. and some of my cory's

I just wanted to make sure they wouldnt eat all my fish when they got bigger.

Do the mouths of the fish stay the same size like discus fish?

i have moonlights but i still dont seem him

the rock mountain is fairly huge so he has no need to come out much.

hes only about 3"-4" too which doesnt help.