Injured Knifefish

Hello,

I went to the pet store today and didn't know too much about knifefish and so I started talking to the worker who seemed very credible and said that it was an aggressive fish and that it could hold its own to a N.W. cichlid, especially one smaller than itself. So, taking his word, I got the fish and put him in with a jd. within minutes the knifefish was being attacked by it, so I took the jd out and got it a new home. A couple hours later, I noticed that the jd had put a wound on his side. He is staying pretty stationary so it is concerning me that it is more than just something that would heal in a couple of days. Help! what should I do?

-Seth

 

Well for starters, how big is the tank? How often do you clean, is it cycled, Is it heated? Can we get a pic?

 

It's a 40 gallon breeder (I'm not going to leave him in it, it's just until he is closer to 8-9 more inches). I have the temperature at 78 F. It is very well cycled and I have recently put in some stress coat+ into the water

 

It's a 40 gallon breeder (I'm not going to leave him in it, it's just until he is closer to 8-9 more inches). I have the temperature at 78 F. It is very well cycled and I have recently put in some stress coat+ into the water
View attachment 88372

 

I love Knife-fish. Do you a nice hiding place for him in the tank? Mine used to like a hollowed out piece of drift wood. You did the right thing with the stress coat. It may have been injured by the Cichlid. Although Knife-fish can be aggressive, mine never was even when it got large. They have large mouths when they are fully grown, but as babies, probably not much to defend itself with. Hope it heals quickly. let us know.

 

Hey, he's doing pretty well now. He has been fairly active now responsive. I'm having a problem with feeding him though. I've tried earthworm flakes, brine shrimp, blood worms, blood shrimp, and he has not shown an interest in any of it. Is there something else or is he just adjusting to the water or what? The guy at the pet store said that they fed him flakes and pellets, so I don't know what to do.

O, and yea, I have this flat piece of driftwood that stands very nicely, creating a nice little cove that he seems to enjoy.