Laelanna

My husband has searched for information on Black Ghost Knife Fish, but what he came up with is contradictory to what a couple of people have mentioned on here. We had one several years ago, before we moved and had to give it to a friend. We are now getting our aquarium set back up, and he just brought another one home. They have been a little difficult to find down here, though. We were looking on Aquabid, and found 2 we were going to bid on until I saw the shipping cost and told him NO WAY!

My question is how many is recommended to keep together. What he read says either one or a tank full of just those. I had recommended he get one more to keep it company, but he says they don't do well with just two. That seemed odd to me so I thought I would ask. We have some feeder guppies in with it, but it is still rather small and I think unable to eat them yet.

Also, I know that while it is still getting adjusted to the new tank, I have found its behavior a little strange. It stays near the waterline at the top of the tank just skimming back and forth. He dropped in some bloodworms last night, but the fish didn't seem to be hungry. Our other one tended to stay hidden until night time and then come out to eat. We have a castle, rock cave, and another cave for it to hide in, but it has yet to try them out. Although, I think the cories have staked their claim on the castle!

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!!! ghost knife fish are so amazing!

Ive had a ghost before and its very unusual for him to be at the top..they are sensitive to light and definately are bottom tube cavelike dwellers..I had one of those see thru tubes and he loved it....most of the time he only came out to eat or at night when the lights were out.....how did you cycle your tank in 3 weeks? and whats yoru water parimeters?

Laelanna

I don't know about all of that... thats my hubbies job. :P I just say I WANT CORIES! He was going to wait on the Ghost knife, but because they have been so hard to find, he went ahead and bought it. I know he said something last night about the tank being between .25 and 1.something on the chart for ammonia, and did a 10% water change to lower it some. I don't argue with the man over the tank, because its about the only thing other than the TV I can get him interested in.

Shawnie

LOL well, I think the tank is still cycleing and the info I can give ya to pass on, if he listens, is this

DAILY water changes(treating the tap water with something called prime will neutralize the ammonia for 24 hours each day)of at least 50% until you have zero readings for ammonia, and nitrites..and nitrates under 20...ghost knifes are super sensitive so this is a must ...cycleing with fish is tough as the daily water changes can sometimes break the back..but its necessary to save the fishies ...hope some of this helps

Laelanna

Yeah he is planning on doing daily water changes, unfortunately, I think I get stuck with today's change since he was up for almost 36 hours, 23 of those working and is now crashed out in bed. My littlest one and I are spending the evening across the street (literally, unfortunately) At my parents house to let him get as much rest as possible in. I don't know anything about testing the water though, I will let him know what you said though. Thanks!

Allie

We had 3 BGKfish, one was bigger than the other 2 & pick on them. They chased each other around. They are boring with just one...ours hid a lot, so we got him friends. I think 5 could be a good combo.

Laelanna

I don't think he wants to put 5 of them in a 55 gal, Might be a bit crowded. Would African butterflies make a good tank mate for these?

heartsongsinger

I've got just one in my tank with a lot of other fish. I've got tetras, platies, mollies, swordtails and a pleco.

Shawnie

where in the world did you put him? all your tanks in your info seem totally stocked and then some

Ghostfish

I have my Black Ghost Knifefish now. He is a tiny guy. I found him at a Petsmart. He is only about 4 inches long and looks like he had a accident that cost him a fin. I believe he is gonna do fine though. He is an active little guy and already likes to be handfed.

MinxMermaid

we had one, as we were told to just have one in a community tank. it pretty much hung out at the bottom under the caves. it died after a couple of months, not sure why. i've seen alot of them at the petsmart here. they have a ton in a little tank and they have those hamster tubes like i have my betta tanks and the ghosts were hanging out in there.

that's my

Ghostfish

I have always been told to either have one BGKF or 3+. Apparently they do not do well in pairs. Since most people do not have a 400+ gallon tank, one BGKF is usually enough.

They are absolutely my favorite fish. Plecos would be a distant second.

DPmom26

I have just 1 BGKfish in my tank with an African Butterflyfish and a few others and he seems to be perfectly happy in there. I have noticed mine is very active night or day, he spends a lot of time skimming the top of the water and investigating everything from the other fish to the hiding spots. He doesn't spend a lot of time hiding and loves to be hand fed, he is a great fish and very graceful....I love him to death

Ghostfish

I have just one in my tank as well. He was just booted from his cave by my new pleco. He doesn't like to use his tube unfortunately. I put in a new rock cave for him and he seems as happy as can be now.

DPmom26

Sarrixx

I just put 2 African Butterfly Fish and 2 Black Ghost Knife Fish in today. I have a medium sized, holey piece of coral which one of the ghost fish went for instantly. Right now they are exploring the tank but they seem to be rather content in the same tank with the Butterfly Fish.

Sarrixx

I have a question too. What other exotic/odd ball fish are compatible with african butterfly fish and BGKF? My tank seems rather empty right now and after the new fish have settled in I would like to introduce one or maybe even two new species of fish to the tank.