BGK Tank Mates.

[PaiLum92]

So, in a week or so I’ll be getting a 125g tank. I will let it cycle for around a week (Is that too short?) and then be adding in a Black Ghost Knife.

I need to know what a few good tank mates will be for him.

I am thinking of getting a Senegal Bichir, because they look freaking awesome (Not as awesome as the BGK, but still awesome) but I’m concerned that he may be small enough for the BGK to eat.. Has anyone had this combo of fish and had something bad happen, or do they get along well?

I plan on getting a Pleco, as I tend to overfeed sometimes and it makes a mess all over the walls... Good idea, or not? (If I do get a Pleco, ill make sure he’s larger than the BGK, so the BGK won’t try and attack him or anything...)

I am also thinking of possibly getting some Koi or Bala Sharks or some other mid to top level swimmers.

I do not like Discus, so please don’t suggest. Name any fish you think would be ok... I have to get the BGK from Petsmart (Ugh) because my local fish specialty shop doesn’t have any in stock, but they have tons of other kinds of fish, so throw some names out and they probably have them..

Also are Ghost Shrimp ok to feed to BGK's? If so, what is their survival rate? I have a 10 g tank I can put those in and when its feeding time just scoop em out, but I don’t want to get like 50, and have them all die off in 2 days...

Any help is appreciated... Thanks...

 

[Bhack91]

I think you over estimate the BGK's aggression, they really aren't that aggressive they will just eat anything small enough to fit in thier mouth. As long as its decent sized and peaceful you will probably be alright.

 

[angelojg22]

i have a bgk hes is about 6 er 7 inches and hes actually with a 7 inch Senegal Bichir a 6 inch bala shark a 12 inch aro and a fire eel 7inch no problems at all the ghost started to get aggressive or well protective when i first got the fire eel and he went in his cave but the ghost got over him and there fine now in the same cave even though theres more them one!

 

[angelojg22]

oh and a week cycle a little short get your water tested a couple of times and add other fish before you get the bgk the bgk are a sensitive fish due to no scales so make sure every things a ok before adding him also a nice cave, structure some ppl use pvc pipe but its a must for them

 

[PaiLum92]

SO add the other fish first, then the BGK? i wold have thought it to be the other way around so the BGK could get used to its hiding spots and such..

 

[angelojg22]

SO add the other fish first, then the BGK? i wold have thought it to be the other way around so the BGK could get used to its hiding spots and such..

thats what i did i added some fish before like the Senegal Bichir would be great to add first cause hes a hardy fish and then once everything seems perfect and then the ghost unless he will go out of stock if you dont pick him up soon. and the ghost doent really need to get used to hiding spots mine immediately found his and was very happy its more of he needs to get used to the tank so he will come out of them lol

 

[PaiLum92]

Got it, how many bala's should i ge then? I had around 3 a long time ago, but i added some loaches and they gave my Balas ich and killed them.. should 2 bala's be fine?

And what about Koi? I really like koi, but im not sure if they would go well with the Bala's, the bichir and the BGK..

Also, im thinking of getting 3 caves and a root system for the middle, plus a bunch of plants, is that good, or should i get more caves?

What about the ghost shrimp i mentioed above?

Sorry for all the questions, I really like the BGK, and dont wanna kill it off the first week i have it..

 

[angelojg22]

Got it, how many bala's should i ge then? I had around 3 a long time ago, but i added some loaches and they gave my Balas ich and killed them.. should 2 bala's be fine?

And what about Koi? I really like koi, but im not sure if they would go well with the Bala's, the bichir and the BGK..

Also, im thinking of getting 3 caves and a root system for the middle, plus a bunch of plants, is that good, or should i get more caves?

What about the ghost shrimp i mentioed above?

Sorry for all the questions, I really like the BGK, and dont wanna kill it off the first week i have it..

2 balas would be fine and the koi are nice but they get huge and are a little on the dirty side but they wouldn't have a problem with the ghost or Senegal Bichir. the plants sounds great (live plants?) and the caves just make sure there not super sharp or anything. and the ghost will do fine with one cave if you have 3 in there he will cheek them all out but eventually favor one usually the biggest one. The ghost shrimp i always wanted to do but for my rays. and it just seemed like i they weren't breading and eventually fed the last one cause i was tired of maintaining the tank lol. i would stick to frozen blood worms at first they love them also some frozen brine shrimp also could try pellets, and for when they get bigger maybe black worms and bigger pellets. im sure the ghost if the right size would eat the shrimp though. and i dont blame you the bgk fish are one of my all time favs

 

[TheEelKing]

I think you have a nice idea in mind. The senegal bichir, black ghost knife fish and two bala sharks. That's a nice set up. I would leave out the koi. Those are more pond fish and I think they are cold water. BFKs don't do well in cold water. I would probably add one of the more gentle cichlids to finish it off. Have you considered a severum cichlid or a geophagus? Here are some pictures of the geophagus altrifon: http://www.google.com/images?q=Geop...tle&resnum=1&ved=0CB0QsAQwAA&biw=1259&bih=587

You could also add a shoal of larger cory catfish. Green cory's grow to about 4 inches. You might want to choose half a dozen of these or a half dozen of yo yo loaches to finish your tank.

I'd recommend something like this:
1x Black Ghost Knife
1x Senegal Bichir
1x Geophagus OR Severum (A Gold Severum would look AWESOME in contrast with a BGK!)
2x Bala Sharks
6x Yo Yo Loaches OR Larger Cory Catfish Species (You may actually be able to do both the cory cats and the yo yo loaches together in a standard 6' 125 gallon tank. You'll just have to be the judge of the space and use your eyes.)

 

[Juxtaroberto]

So, in a week or so I’ll be getting a 125g tank. I will let it cycle for around a week (Is that too short?) and then be adding in a Black Ghost Knife.

I need to know what a few good tank mates will be for him.

I am thinking of getting a Senegal Bichir, because they look freaking awesome (Not as awesome as the BGK, but still awesome) but I’m concerned that he may be small enough for the BGK to eat.. Has anyone had this combo of fish and had something bad happen, or do they get along well?

I plan on getting a Pleco, as I tend to overfeed sometimes and it makes a mess all over the walls... Good idea, or not? (If I do get a Pleco, ill make sure he’s larger than the BGK, so the BGK won’t try and attack him or anything...)

I am also thinking of possibly getting some Koi or Bala Sharks or some other mid to top level swimmers.

I do not like Discus, so please don’t suggest. Name any fish you think would be ok... I have to get the BGK from Petsmart (Ugh) because my local fish specialty shop doesn’t have any in stock, but they have tons of other kinds of fish, so throw some names out and they probably have them..

Also are Ghost Shrimp ok to feed to BGK's? If so, what is their survival rate? I have a 10 g tank I can put those in and when its feeding time just scoop em out, but I don’t want to get like 50, and have them all die off in 2 days...

Any help is appreciated... Thanks...

I think you have some misconceptions regarding cycling. It doesn't just mean letting the tank run empty, you have to supply ammonia. You can go to the Setup and Filtration forum, and read the stickies on cycling for more info.

A 125 might be a bit cramped for a BGK... although I think you'll manage, considering they're very, very flexible. They can get up to around 20". BGKs are generally peaceful, as long as they're not with other BGKs, or any other fish that generate electric fields around them, like other knives, and elephant noses. Just as long as something is not big enough to it, and not electric, it will be left alone.

I wouldn't get the pleco unless you plan to also take good care of the pleco. This means, supplying him with his own veggies. They poop a lot though, and add a large weight to the bioload, so I would just suggest not going overboard with feeding. Feed with moderation; and you shouldn't have "clean up fish," you should do all the cleaning up yourself. If the pleco isn't getting enough to eat, he'll start sucking on other fish's slimecoats.

Definitely no koi, they get very big and like colder water. I'd also say no to bala sharks, because they can get up to 14" and like to be in groups, so they'd be really cramped in there (also, they spook easily, so they'd just end up banging all over the walls all the time).

BGKs will take prepared foods easily, so its better, simply because you'd have to feed the feeder shrimp ten times more food than if you just fed it to the fish itself.