Planning To Set-Up A Black Ghost Knife Tank

[JoshuaC]

Hey all! I'm planning on setting up a Black Knife tank. What kind of filters, lights, etc. do I need? are there things I need to take into
consideration before getting one?

 

[aquariumart22]

Hi,

First of all, I would advise you get a 55-75 gallon tank or bigger. They can grow up to 2 feet long and have a rigid back to where they cant bend well so they need a tank big enough for them to comfortably turn around in.

I have an aquaclear 110 filter on my 75 gallon tank. Also they are nocturnal so don't like the light much at all however, mine does come out in the light occasionally. I've heard they don't do well with the same species. Mine is in with some catfish and gouramis. You'll have to watch the temperament of your particular knife fish as some are more aggressive and limit what you can keep with them.

Mine loves frozen bloodworms and will eat brine shrimp pellets.

You'll probably have a wider range of what you can put in with it while hes small and then just watch and be ready to rehome if he starts to be aggressive. I've read their aggressive however mine is pretty mellow so far at 5 inches.

Hope this helps

 

[JoshuaC]

Thanks for the info! I have a 100 gallon tank on stand by and I was thinking of putting a trio of Black Knifes but you said that
they might not be too good to put in a tank together right?

 

[aquariumart22]

Your welcome

Yeah, I've read that they don't get along well at all. You could just google it and do some farther research if your set on having more than one. But I just read a thread that said they bought 3 BGKs twice and one killed the other two both times. I dunno, its a chance you'd have to take I suppose.

Or you could choose a larger top dweller such as an oscar, or possibly a few rams; something that will grow large with the knife fish to minimize aggression. Also many caves, driftwood and a heavily planted tank should help and make it comfortable. Mine moves around a lot so I would suggest lots of different spots he can go.