already have 7 african knives should i get more

[benzjamin13]

Although it's really cool, it is not a good idea. For one the bioload has to be violently high. And also, knifefish have impaired vision which gets worse with age. For this reason they emit electrical shocks to smell food, danger and cover. These can interfere with other emissions and cause them to get disoriented and they will stop eating. Very nice though!

This is a misconception. ABKs use electrical pulses to locate their food and they won't interfere with each other's emission because they can actually change their frequencies. And that goes for all electric fish for that matter. ABKs are found in loose shoals in the wild. The larger they get, they may become territorial with limited space. Since ABKs average 8" they should all be fine in that size tank. Also, if there is any aggression being shown, I'd just suggest creating more hiding spots/territories.

 

[syddakyd]

i picked up the remaining 3 africans so know i have 10. they all hang out constantly. these knives do not get very big so i am not worried about bioload.

you can see about 8-9 /10 in this pic if you look close. im not sure how to take good pics of these guys.
this is my only aquarium so i stay up on water changes and have plants in there as well. i also am asking for another filter for xmas (lol). i just drop the python in and do my own thing.


yea i was on and off about a bgk due to 1) hearing they can get nasty 2) potential size (18 inches and although thats fine in a 125...i dont want him beating on my africans and 3) they can eat small fish. my knives i can keep with small community fish and i like that.

 

[syddakyd]

by the way the parrot cichlid was my girls choice

 

[MeiTnerium109]

This is a misconception. ABKs use electrical pulses to locate their food and they won't interfere with each other's emission because they can actually change their frequencies. And that goes for all electric fish for that matter. ABKs are found in loose shoals in the wild. The larger they get, they may become territorial with limited space. Since ABKs average 8" they should all be fine in that size tank. Also, if there is any aggression being shown, I'd just suggest creating more hiding spots/territories.

Dang, you beat me too it. Too many people have that misconception.