African Knife one year old.

[screaminleeman]

Hi,

I bought my African knife from Petsmart in December of 2008 @ 4". It has claimed its ornament home, and killed all other Knives (3 BGK & 1 glass) introduced. It has just started coming out during daytime from its ornament regularly last week! It appears to have no fin damage whatsoever and is a strong swimmer. It is clear that at best it has grown only one-half of an inch in over a year. Is that normal?

It is housed in a 55G with 2 Green Tiger Barbs (1" & 1.5"), 3 Weather Loaches (4", 4.5" & 5"), 1 Blue Diamond Discus (4"). Tank has been cycled since August 2008, and reads 0 ammonia/ very low Nitrites each reading. Water changes are 50% weekly. Tank is well planted with sand subtrate!

I am leary of putting too much meaty food in late PM due to the Discus' need for pristine water conditions.

Will I have to rehome it to be fair to the knife, or does someone have any suggestions?

 

[benzjamin13]

A 55g is perfect for an African Brown Knife. You should be fine. They don't really grow that fast, so your growth rate is normal.

 

[MeiTnerium109]

Dude, your tank is fine. Even if the knife can't finish all you're feeding it, I doubt it's the only fish eating the meaty foods. Other fish adore bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc.

 

[screaminleeman]

Thanks, I'll try turning the lights out for half an hour to an hour before going to bed, and dropping a couple of thawed brine shrimp cubes into the tank for the next couple weeks, while testing my water daily!