African Brown Knife

[Becca]

I had one of these in my 30-Gallon, and thanks to the advice of everyone on this forum, I got rid of him because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get a larger tank anytime soon.

Well, as it turns out, I am now the proud owner of a 75 Gallon Perfecto Oak Setup. (Though, I might not get it for a few extra days since I have to pay for another 75 gallon, thanks to my clumsiness and absentmindedness...) However, I have an entirely different setup now - African Cichlids, a Spiney Eel and my faithful Pleco.

What I'm curious about is if the African Brown Knife and the African Cichlids would get along halfway decently? I've seen pictures of the Knife kept with Yellow Labs (also known as Electric Yellows) - which I have 2 of. But I also have a wide assortment of other Africans.

To sound completely dense, my logic really is "Hey my cichlids are African...the knife is African - this may work!" But of course, I don't want to rush out and buy another one until I know for sure.

As for specs on the Knife - the stores advertise them only getting to 8 inches, but the biggest I've seen them noted as on the web is 12 inches. They are, and I can tell you this out of certainty, smaller than Ghost Knifes. (Ghost knifes, from what I've seen and read, reach about 2 feet)

Any ideas/suggestions/words of wisdom?

 

[vantgE]

Hi Becca, I really don't think an african riftlake aquarium is a good setup for a Knife fish, mbuna such as you labidochromis caeruleus qare much too territorial to be kept with it, Although labs are very friendly and if there is an exception to this line of thought it would lie in the electric yellows. The Knife fish is not from the rift lakes and for african cichlids the only suitible companion I can think of Would be a juwel Cichlid from the african rivers which I believe is most likely were the Knife fish is from(just a guess) Do you Know water requiremnets for the knifefish do they match with the hard alkaline water required for rift-lake cichlids? Or are they adjustable. I mean it's seems obviuose that a juwel would be the best tank mate for a biotope, but since you already have labs it doesn't hurt to look into it that's all I can tell you now.
HTH
Sorry that's a little hard to read but I have horrible grammar

 

[Becca]

No worries about it being hard to read - it was just fine.

Thanks for the tips on the knife. You actually brought up a few good points. I'll most likely just pass on it for now. Maybe in the future if I get another decent sized tank, I can get another one.

Of course, if anyone else has any suggestions, I'm open to them too. I'm sticking with Cichlids mostly in the tank - those with my Spiney Eel, my PLeco and adding some Synodontis for the bottom.

 

[semper fi]

first problem is that they get large. second problem is that they feed on small fish. they are a predatory fish. mbuna re too small for the knife fish. third is the knife requires a protein based diet. mbuna cannot handle large amounts of protein. it causes bloat. also they are noctorunal. you might find some of your fish missing in the morning. also gets quite large. should be kept with fish that it will not perceive as food that can tolerate the larger amounts of protein.

 

[Becca]

Sweet, Semper fi. I think you just answered my question. Knife + Mbuna = Bad idea. Much appreciated.

 

[BlueIce]

The African Knifefish is a large carnivorous predator. Their bodies are built in the usual Knifefish shape; stocky build with a very long-based anal fin. The "tail" of this fish resembles a sword blade, hence its common name of Knifefish. This particular Knifefish lacks a dorsal fin.

Tank Setup

A large tank is required to for this fish to thrive as an adult. Juveniles may be kept together but as adults they may fight. A heavily planted aquarium is recommended with a slightly acidic pH and plenty of swimming space. Floating plants should be used to subdue the lighting, as Knifefish are nocturnal. Being nocturnal, they should also be fed after the lights are turned off. These fish often make "clicking" sounds which can be heard when netting the fish.

Feeding

African Knifefish are voracious predators that need meat in their diet. Worms, beef heart and fish are all relished. Live foods are recommended.

Water Chemistry

These fish appreciate an acidic pH around 6.0-6.5 with soft water at about 5 dGH. A general temperature of 72-80 degrees F will suffice.

Breeding

Little is known about the breeding behavior of this fish. Females lay up to 200 tiny eggs which hatch shortly. Sexing is said to be impossible.