Black Ghost Knifefish?

[PheonixKingZ]

What are the requirements for a BGK? I saw one ya my LFS and I fell in love with them. They just look so cool!

I have a 29g densely planted freshwater heated tank. It contains 1 albino bristle nose pleco, a few snails, and 8 neons tetras.

Thanks In advance.

 

[Byron]

This species needs a tank that is 8 feet in length and no less than 2 feet in width. It is inflexible and needs this space to be able to turn and swim. It will attain 20 inches. A timid fish but predatory, territorial and aggressive within its own species. Should be maintained either as a single specimen or in a group of 6 in a very large tank, never in pairs or smaller groups. It will likely eat small fish, so tankmates should be 6 inches or more. Well suited with angelfish, discus or the medium peaceful South American cichlids such as Geophagus species. Avoid any nippy or aggressive fish or any active swimmers. Knifefish produce an electrical field used to hunt prey, and must never be kept with other electric fish.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Wow! I never knew that they would grow so large and that they needed such a big tank!

How about Kuhlii loaches? Would I be able to keep say 6 in my 29g? I’m looking for a bottom dweller, besides my pleco.

I was thinking Cory cats? But those are so exciting! (Around $6 a piece.) Any other cool bottom dwellers I could get?

 

[Byron]

If you have sand, kuhlii loaches or cories are an option (separately, not together). Many of the botine loaches get large, some way too large, for a 29g. The dwarf chain loach or the dwarf banded loach are possible, a group of 5 minimum of whichever.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Which do the think is better/more entering or neat to watch/interact with? (Cory’s, or Loaches?)

 

[JuiceBox52]

I love black ghosts.. I first saw them at a pet fish market on the streets of Indonesia and like you, fell in love. Sadly I dont have a large enough tank

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I love black ghosts.. I first saw them at a pet fish market on the streets of Indonesia and like you, fell in love. Sadly I dont have a large enough tank

Same, they look so unique!

 

[Byron]

Which do the think is better/more entering or neat to watch/interact with? (Cory’s, or Loaches?)

In my experience, cories. The botine loaches (not kuhlii) can be playful. Kuhlii you will hardly ever see!

 

[Barry Tetra]

In my experience, cories. The botine loaches (not kuhlii) can be playful. Kuhlii you will hardly ever see!

Kuhli will also jump of the tank when you dont have enough hiding place for them.

 

[Barry Tetra]

My BGK are not aggressive though as you can see in my video, have you seen it?

 

[Colin_T]

Most black ghost knife fish only reach 10-12 inches in captivity, but Byron is correct about them needing a big tank.

Botia sidthimunki (dwarf loaches) are cool and you could have 6 of them in a 30inch tank.

As others have stated, Khulia loaches won't be seen except when you lift ornaments to gravel clean the substrate.

 

[Munroco]

If you have sand, kuhlii loaches or cories are an option (separately, not together).

Why not both together? Tank size?

 

[Barry Tetra]

Most black ghost knife fish only reach 10-12 inches in captivity, but Byron is correct about them needing a big tank.

Botia sidthimunki (dwarf loaches) are cool and you could have 6 of them in a 30inch tank.

As others have stated, Khulia loaches won't be seen except when you lift ornaments to gravel clean the substrate.

Why my BGK changed the color from black and gray when grown?

 

[Colin_T]

Fish losing colour as they age is normally linked to poor water quality, a dirty environment or malnutrition. These things weaken the fish and it becomes stressed and fades.

A light coloured substrate will also cause fish to fade and bright light does too.

 

[Barry Tetra]

Why not both together? Tank size?

@PheonixKingZ said its 29 gal. Remember to cover your tank, kuhli can jump out of the tank and can squeeze though the tiniest gap in the tank. This one is mine.