So I just got this black ghost knife fish and I need to know 1: how fast do they grow? 2: will being in a 10 gallon tank until big enough to join their tank mates stunt their growth? 3: how big do they need to be to go into a tank with two 10-12" oscars? 4: are the oscars going to be too aggressive for the black ghost knife fish? Anybody have any advice for me? Please help thank you!
Black ghost knife fish questions
- Thread starter Sublime685
- Start date
BGK are not aggressive and would not be able to defend itself against an oscar. They are slow growers. Also if the oscars decide to be a breeding pair they will beat up anything that is near the eggs. If you want to grow it big enough for a 10-12" oscar pair a 10gl is way to small. I would suggest getting a bigger tank if you plan to keep the BGK. Depending on your oscars it might be a bad idea to put it with them. This also should be in the knifefish are under the ancient fish form. You should get more feed back there. And anyone correct what I said this is all from personal experience from having oscars and a BGK but I would never think about putting them together.
Sublime685;4279000; said:
They arent fast growers, atleast mine isn't. As far as a 10 gl tank, no, I would definitely not keep it in there long term. BGKs may be able to hang out with the oscars given they have adequate hiding space and the oscars arent paried up. The bigger the tank, the lower the risk
BGK are gentle and shy. They max out around 6" captive. They are also very anti social and require a lot of hiding places to call their own, otherwise they get stressed out. I would not mix the two into one tank. BGK are just simply too passive to co exist even in a tank with smaller cichlid breeds, litle alone the massive Oscars. I would recommend putting the ghosts up as a centerpiece in a 55 with other tank mates that compliment its life style. Beautiful fish just not very capable. Good luck.
Arowana28;4279064; said:
there is so many things wrong with this post...you should give advise to people about things you don't know about...op disregard it in it completely
BGK get way bigger then 6", mine is at 13" and growing...they do like hiding places and are mostly nocturnal, though they come out more and more after they get used to the tank...they grow at a desent rate, mine is 1.5-1.75 years old...they can go with all kinds of cichlids including, but not limited to african, oscars, sa cichlids, arowanas, dats...the list goes on i have mixed all of these at all sizes...they will be agressive at defending their cave, but thats about it...just so long as they can't be eatten by the fish they are with or vise versa you should be fine...the only thing i have found to be bad with my knives has been pbass...
as for your oscars i would say between 7-10" on the bgk so the oscar doesn't eat it, though it may still try since it is an oscar after all...grow it out in a 55gal then move it to your larger display tank as they can get 20"+...
another tid bit...don't put a 13" bgk with a 4-5" silver aro the knife will kill it...learned that the hard way...
here is my 13"+ bgk i have raised it since it was 2"
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also check out the knifefish section of the ancient fish forum as there is lots of pics and great info there for you to learn and see...
My BGK fought many a times with Parachromis Managuense of similair size and currently resides with my charciform community tank. He generally as stated is nocturnal except at feeding time - the only time he comes outta his driftwood cave unless someone else goes in then out he comes chasing them away. So basically to answer your questions - Yes the a BGK can cohab w/ large cichlids, the grow out tank is too small however very few fish can grow as fast as Oscars.
you know i always hear they are slow growers everyone ive known whose had has said that in 6 months they put on 1 inch max...i got mine in feb 2010 at an inch and a half...its now october and at last measure id say Kunai is about 6-7 inches. also just to throw this out while 55 gallons is enough water but the tanks dont have the footprint to allow these to live happily...id recommend 75 gal min. also the fish vary greatly in personality, i know one who is never out and wont come out for anyone, while mine is always out and is always visible and loves to take food from my hand! hope you enjoy your new BGK they are amazing fish