BGK - growth rates & suggested count for 250gal.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Andyroo

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Apr 17, 2011
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MoBay, Jamaica
www.seascapecarib.com
Knife(fish)-wielding lunatics,
Importer's got BGK, first knife I've seen in eons. Kind'a costly, but so it goes...

1) better as a single or do I spring for 5, as I see in public displays? I've no expectations of breeding, but am thinking of social welfare - the ABK has always seems lonely, for example, forever trying to buddy-up with the loaches. This would be for either 6' 100gal or 8' 240, so there's space.

2) How quickly may i expect growth from the arrival 4" to an established 7~8"? Reputation appears to be for a faster growth, yes?
3) I'd expect a level of tetra-predation in-line with mature P. scalare, which are also in that/those tanks.
4) How do they do with a bit of flow/current?

5) From a semi-community territory/aggression POV, is there a no-go species regardless of adequate/abundant bamboo hides?
RTS/RBS, ABK, CL or wood-cats, for examples? I expect they'll arrive bite-size for the Am.eels, so... there's one, at least until we get some girth on 'em.

6) I've always been fascinated with the mouth structure - do they eat snails?
 
I saw a bgk only tank at a public aquarium once ,about 20-30 12"+ bgk in the same tank (300-500g just an estimate). Some did have missing tails though.
 
Seriously lads/lasses,
I need to pull-trigger on the buy in a couple of hours:
1 or 5?
... or can I get away with 3?
If it’s a 240g then I’d say 3. Smaller tanks I’d say 2. Make sure there are hiding spots. Slow growing.
 
We have a winner! Thanks kno4te kno4te , this is a relief as I can (nearly) afford 3... ;)
Slow-growing: Ok - I'd heard this for ABK, but for some reason thought the South Americans were the opposite. That's actually good news.
 
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