Help Stock A 55 Gallon

[PaulieB]

Hey guys just recently got a 55 gallon that I've wanted for soo long!!!! I really want a Black Ghost Knife Fish soo bad. It's like my dream.. almost like an obsession on how bad I want one hahaha (I have a life don't worry). I understand that they get back and eventually it will out grow my tank, but I want one. I just was wondering on what kind of fish could go well with one? I was thinking a couple Bala Sharks and those see thru Glass Catfish, but I'm not sure if they will be okay? I want the tank to be centered around the BGK so any input would be great! Also what tank heater, in your opinion, is the best one? My girlfriend's mother said Jager is highly recommended.

P.S. I already know how to cycle a tank and do testing and all that

 

[Wills]

Just to double check on the cycling, you know how to do the one with the pure ammonia before you add fish yeah?

Right onto the fish, I agree BGK are awesome fish and for that reason I think they deserve a good home for life rather than have a decent home for a while then ending up back at the LFS. Have you considered a the african knife fish? These are more of a brown colour rather than the black of the ghost. I think the african will also get on with the other fish you mentioned better as they are from similar waters where in africa/asia where as the BGK is from south america. Just a thought.

As for tank mates you could do an interesting tank of "knifeish" shaped fish, like a group of glass cats like you said either the fully see through ones or the three stripe ones. You could also look at getting some dewabi catfish as well which are an other nice calm african fish. Thats an important thing to add I think that the fish you do get need to be very calm fish as the knife fishes are often easily spooked and when housed with active fish they will become reclusive and hide a lot. So for that reason I would avoid the bala sharks also due to the fact that they grow to over a foot long and so will outgrow the tank as well. As for other tank mates calm barbs like black ruby would be good. Avoid smaller schoolers though as there is a risk of them getting eaten...

Wills

 

[PaulieB]

Yea I know how to do it with pure ammonia, but I already have a 10 gallon tank up and running with 2 filters in it. So I transferred one of my filters over to the 55. I have taken a look at African's, but I am completely set on the BGK. I have a friend with a bigger tank who would gladly take it in if it gets that big. I couldn't do an African and a BGK right?

 

[Wills]

Cool the cycle sounds well on the way I wouldnt do the BGK and african as I dont think that tank will be able to handle 2 electric fishes.

Wills

 

[PaulieB]

Thank you very much for the information!!!