View Full Version : ghost knifefish
sypher
11-06-2005, 9:02 PM
i've had my ghost for over a year now and have searched the net for info on them and got lots... one thing i didn't find though was how to tell the differents between the males and females... any type of info would be great for this is a great site with some very great poeple in it and i know you guys want give me a bunch of BS answers...
thanx, sypher
Vince
11-06-2005, 10:13 PM
Here's a B.S. answer for you :)
How many do you have? Are there any distinct differences that you can see between the ones that you have? According to fishbase, they max out at 50cm (20 inches). OK, that is news to me, didn't think they get that big. Hope this "B.S." helps cause now I want to keep a few.
sypher
11-06-2005, 10:21 PM
thanx vince that was pretty good, made me laugh... i have only one but want more and mine is around 10"
thanx for the B.S. :grinyes:
Vince
11-06-2005, 10:24 PM
How fast do they grow? Are they very aggressive that they can kill other tankmates? I want to get some big ones, maybe close to 15 inches....maybe Wes, can bring some in for me....but I gotta read on how they are in a community tank.
sypher
11-06-2005, 10:44 PM
i've had mine for a year and he/she is 10" in length... as far as i know none of my fish have died because of my ghost, i had fish that died because of my clown knife that i had but she was 18" in length though...
Vince
11-06-2005, 11:29 PM
At 10 inches, does it still hide alot? or is it no longer shy when it gets at a certain size?
Miles
11-06-2005, 11:48 PM
I have a 14" Ghost Knife.. They are very awesome fish. As far as sexing and breeding, I don't think it has ever been done. I believe they are unsexable.. Most of the gymnotus family will fight if put togethor in the same tank, and they also are stressed due to the electrical frequencies they share.. Breeding is likely a seasonal thing that is triggered by temprature, rainfall, and location in the wild. I don't know if this is what you were attempting to do, but its likely not a good idea combine them, but nothing is impossible. Vancouver aquarium had a whole tank full of them..
sypher
11-07-2005, 6:00 PM
to answer your ? vince yes he still hides but not like he did when he was smaller... i have 2 caves and he goes back and forth between them, always on the go...
Miles thanx for the info and no i don't plan on breeding i was just wondering...they are such neat fish that i would love to get another one...
ballsmcgee1234
11-07-2005, 6:24 PM
Miles is correct in sexing and breeding, it's never been done in captivity(breeding that is). I have never had a problem with mine killing other fish...he's huge and likes to keep his territory, like when he was with the parrots, he would just push them out of the way, now he's in with gourami's and still doing fine:)
redwingbum19
11-08-2005, 11:08 PM
cant you just vent them?
Miles is correct in sexing and breeding, it's never been done in captivity(breeding that is). I have never had a problem with mine killing other fish...he's huge and likes to keep his territory, like when he was with the parrots, he would just push them out of the way, now he's in with gourami's and still doing fine:)
They have successfully been bred in Queensland, Australia by a reputable fish supplier. I will dig up the info and show you guys the pics and what not to prove this supplier has done it! Fascinating!
Ok found it guys, have a read some REALLY good stuff!
http://www.gnsaquarium.com.au/html/bgk.html
landmineyouth
11-09-2005, 12:14 PM
Does anyone know their average lifespan in captivity?
sypher
11-09-2005, 2:34 PM
man that was some cool pictures Hasi, thanx for the link...
I have found nothing so far on growth rates, they are no where near as predatory as clown or banded knives.
man that was some cool pictures Hasi, thanx for the link...
No problems dude
Thomascl
11-13-2005, 2:42 AM
They are not that hard to breed i have not bred them but i have a frined that breeds them in a 4ft tank, Males get a horse shaped head and when they are of breeding size the white in there tail gets a redish couler to it the females have a rounder head like the one in sypher's photo.
thefishofdoom
11-13-2005, 3:42 AM
cool link im thinken of buying another my turtle ate my last one so sad but when i get the money and go out and buy one that be good
They are not that hard to breed i have not bred them but i have a frined that breeds them in a 4ft tank, Males get a horse shaped head and when they are of breeding size the white in there tail gets a redish couler to it the females have a rounder head like the one in sypher's photo.
Thomas,
That is amazing! Can you tell us more specific details on breeding them? As in water parameters and breeding behaviours? Would be very much appreciated
Private message me if you like...
Reefcrack
11-16-2005, 12:01 PM
Tropical Fish Hobbyist had a good article on the Black Ghost a couple of years ago. I may have the mag stored somewhere. If I find it I will link the info. I do remember you should not keep them in pairs. Groups of at least five were preferred to keeping two. I had two a few years back and they went at it one night. I keep one now and it has to be one of my all-time favorite pets! They grow at a pretty good clip if well fed and ample swim room is provided. Mine is in a fully planted 100 gallon with 7.0pH, 78dF and moderate hardness. South American natives believe the spirits of their deceased become Black Ghost knifefish. Hence the name. Too cool!
ehyou19
11-23-2005, 1:47 PM
BGK get really territorial when they find a place that they like, so if you have more than one in the tank make sure that there are many good hiding spaces, cause even when they are big they still like to hide. Other than their own territory, they seem to get along well in a community tank.
shallow
11-18-2006, 8:45 PM
I have one myself and I think they are really cool fish.By the way I read about them in tropical fish.
WolfFisho1
11-22-2006, 6:04 PM
knives use electicity to sense stuff. that is why ghost pipes work. but two fish with these same electricity forces would hate it and become very stressed. that is why elepahnt noses dont go good with knives either
dark_knights_99
11-23-2006, 12:18 PM
They are not that hard to breed i have not bred them but i have a frined that breeds them in a 4ft tank, Males get a horse shaped head and when they are of breeding size the white in there tail gets a redish couler to it the females have a rounder head like the one in sypher's photo.
Can you provide pics so we can determine the sex of the BGK? How about when they are still juveniles around 3-4 inches, are thier sex distinguishable?