Ghost Knife + Denisoni Barbs

[riordan89]

I have a 1 ghost knife and 2 denisoni barbs in a 125 litre tank. can anyone give me some insight into these fish and thier behaviors in community tanks so i can plan thier future in my tank.

 

[Wills]

Ghost knife fish get massive and need a tank twice the size of your minimum. They get around 12 inches often bigger, sometimes upto 16 inches. The Denison Barbs get to about 6 inches each and are a shoaling fish so need at least 5 in a group but in my opinion need a bigger tank at least a 4 foot tank ideally a 4 foot x 15 inches. I think you need a bigger tank soon or plan a restock.

If you want to get some fish that are better suited to your tank but look similar to the fish you have at present you could try swapping the denison barbs for odessa barbs which are kind of similar different shape but same colours. And for the black ghost knifefish for glass catfish, its quite a bit different but I cant think of anything else that comes even close BGKs are quite unique and thats why then need the respect and care needed for them. Both of the fish I mentioned need schools of 6 each and would look quite nice I think.

 

[riordan89]

i was aware of how big the barbs get and the plan for a bigger tank is underway however i was unaware that the ghost knife gets that big have you ever kept them, and what behaviors do they have.

 

[Wills]

Ive not kept them because Ive never had the right size tank for them, but there are other members on here that do. I know Minxyfish has one, I believe they are quite secretive and nocturnal but sometimes predatory that will eat smaller fish at night but usually otherwise peaceful.

 

[minxfishy]

As Wills says I have one, had him since he was about 2", he is now 8" and and as said, they are very sensitive to water quality and medication (should the need arise to medicate the tank). Ive found mine to be very peaceful and never has he eaten another tank mate, however, they are night predators and will eat smaller fish if they are not fed properly and are prone to eat smaller fish if they are not raised with them. Being blind, they use an electrical sense to find their way around and plot other fish, so those they know they leave alone, newly added small fish will be seen as food.

They can be picky eaters, mostly they prefer live/frozen bloodworm, shrimp, prawn, krill etc, mine will also feed on prima and loves cucumber!

Yes they can reach 16" and will become stunted if not in the right size tank, so you either need to upgrade to a minimum of a 5ft tank soon or rehome it for its long term health and welfare.

 

[riordan89]

As Wills says I have one, had him since he was about 2", he is now 8" and and as said, they are very sensitive to water quality and medication (should the need arise to medicate the tank). Ive found mine to be very peaceful and never has he eaten another tank mate, however, they are night predators and will eat smaller fish if they are not fed properly and are prone to eat smaller fish if they are not raised with them. Being blind, they use an electrical sense to find their way around and plot other fish, so those they know they leave alone, newly added small fish will be seen as food.

They can be picky eaters, mostly they prefer live/frozen bloodworm, shrimp, prawn, krill etc, mine will also feed on prima and loves cucumber!

Yes they can reach 16" and will become stunted if not in the right size tank, so you either need to upgrade to a minimum of a 5ft tank soon or rehome it for its long term health and welfare.

Thank you for this has gave me a real insight into the fish i think i will enjoy it short term while i can and quickly plan my second tank round this fish or maybe rehome him.

 

[Assaye]

I have a 1 ghost knife and 2 denisoni barbs in a 125 litre tank. can anyone give me some insight into these fish and thier behaviors in community tanks so i can plan thier future in my tank.

Barbs need a much larger tank, ideally 200 litres or more. They need to be kept in groups and like all barbs, are active and a little boisterous.

Ghost knife is a beast - will hit 12 inches, should get bigger and can (in theory) hit 24 inches. To give him enough swimming room you need a 6 foot tank, and that's assuming he stays small. A 12 inch long fish is going to be pretty miserable in a 3 or 4 foot tank. They are also nocturnal and predatory.