Black Ghost Knife Questions?

So I went to my local weekend ornamental fish market today and found a black ghost knife which is EXTREMELY RARE and also relatively expensive I couldnt control myself from getting one so I did a quick research (google)found that they do well in most community tanks and got him. Now that I have aclamatized him and added him to my tank ...he seems to always hang out under my top filter- pump/power head I kknow it takes time for new fish to get used but I could also observe some nipping from my other fishs - neon rainbows , torpedo barbs and a gentle 5-6inch firemouth ....there always seems to be slight curiosity and aggression when I add new fish to the tank that eventually disappears ..but I'm wondering if these fishes are actually compatible and also I have never heard about care or other personal tips for this fish from anyone so it would mean a lot if someone could educate me or give me tips from them personally keeping this fish .
Ps. He is 3 inches about the same size as my torpedo barbs. And I have a pvc tube in for him .

 

There’s a lot of misinformation on these guys unfortunately. First and foremost, they get HUGE, I’ve seen multiple 24 inchers, so you need at least 150 gallons. Secondly, they’re a nocturnal predator/carnivore who will eat any fish it can fit in it’s mouth, so they make poor community tank mates. It’s not normal for it to be hanging out at the top like that, I’d expect it to be hiding at the bottom.

 

There’s a lot of misinformation on these guys unfortunately. First and foremost, they get HUGE, I’ve seen multiple 24 inchers, so you need at least 150 gallons. Secondly, they’re a nocturnal predator/carnivore who will eat any fish it can fit in it’s mouth, so they make poor community tank mates. It’s not normal for it to be hanging out at the top like that, I’d expect it to be hiding at the bottom.

Oh wow..I currently have him in a 55 gallon but am planning a pond build.Right now none of the other fishes are smaller than his mouth ... My food options are
1. HikarI gold
2. Tetra bits
3. Live bloodworms available weekly
Its more convenient tor me to feed pellets as I am a college student is there any way they can adapt to eating pellets?. My submersible pump lays at the bottom just above the gravel it is multifunctional as a power head. And he keeps coliding on stuff and swims in reverse are these things of concern?

 

Did it eat pellets?

 

I’ve kept a few but never had one take any dried food more than very occasionally. I fed them mainly prawns, cockles, and the usual frozen foods... and earthworms.

They come from fast flowing streams, and appreciate a pipe/tube of some sort to stay in during the day. You might have to feed it in the dark as it might not come out much with a big firemouth in the tank (they don’t like cichlids).

My last one grew to 16” in a 6x2x2 (180g), and the tank was too small for it. They don’t bend much so you want a tank more than 2’ wide for a big one.

Contrary to the general opinion on American sites I’ve never known one harm a fish, and I’ve kept them with very small fish including fry. They’re not a piscivore. Their natural diet is insect larvae, so I think they just attack fish as a last resort when they’re stressed, or maybe very hungry.