Can a Carpo Knife Tolerate Salt?

[Roxy55]

Last July I bought an Ossa knife from a reputable lfs. I've been reading the knife section for the past last 5 days and realize I have a Carpo knife instead. I'm really enjoying it. It has grown considerably! He was already pellet trained. It gets freeze dried black worm cubes and human grade shrimp , along with the pellets. Also the occasional guppy, when I'm culling.

During the 90's I owned a CK and I fell in love with the fish. Unfortunately I moving for school , so needed to part with my clown. I was told then that knives couldn't tolerate salt, being they're scaleless!

So after reading several threads, I see people are using salt in their knife tanks. I need to know if the use of salt is acceptable? As when treating tankmates, with salt I moved the Carpo. I'd like to move it back and there's probably some salt left.
I'm really enjoying this fish, however, information is sparse on it. So knowing size and any other information would be great. He's a good eater of a variety of foods. Thanks in advance for responses!

 

[kno4te]

Carapos are a bit more sensitive than clown knives. These type of knives are sensitive to meds and likely salt too.

They prefer more of a slight acidic and soft water as they seem to do better with this type of water. Especially with tannins present will help it to be more comfortable. Once it gets over 12inches it’ll be very active and a bit aggressive.

 

[Roxy55]

Thank you kno4te my knife starts getting active as soon as the sun sets. Also if I do a mid day feed. He only gets ambient light, so I can see him more. Through accident he discovered a lift tube that I placed in his other tank. It was for the smaller fish to use. The tank has lots of caves. I was doing a tear down trying to catch fry. Then my neighbor, goes you got a fish in a tube. I looked and here's my knife in the lift tube that's lying on bottom of my tank. So I put his tube with him in my other tank. He's in it all day, I never seen such a lazy fish!! At first I was worried he'd get stuck, so I emptied him out twice. It took me a few days to realize he knows how to get out! He's a truly awesome fish!! Now he's by himself, he gets more treats!

How big will he get? I've never seen this knife before? I'm amazed at people that hand feed their knives! I tried several times holding shrimp above the water and he'd grab them with such force, that he'd pull the whole shrimp, out of my fingers and splash me with water. I don't put my hand in his tank, unless, he's in his tube.
He was fine in a tank with Convicts and a jewel! However, he almost gutted my 6" albino shark last September. Both of them had caves to hide in. So I was surprised when was good with the other fish and them with him.

So after the wigglers grow out, I'll move him back. I feel Convicts are a nasty fish. They keep beating up on each other! It's why I had salt in the tank. The lady there from said she kept salt in their water all the time. My knife is good tempered compared to my Convicts!!

 

[kno4te]

As it gets bigger it will get bold and eventually eat from ur hand. It’ll also be aggressive to other fish. Would suggest to remove the rocks. The outer skin is sensitive and easily injured with that kind of decor. Driftwood and leaves will be perfect for it.

I’ve seen one monster that was probably over 20inches but it was on Facebook. It was huge and impressive. It was in a black water tank with lots of leaves and etc. Not many keep these kind of knives.

 

[Roxy55]

Again thank you for the advice. He really likes his lift tube for the day time! Another food that he loves is ramshorn snails. I can't keep any alive in his tank, as he snacks on them! He really enjoys resting with his head protruding from the hole in the resin rock formation! He can park there for half of the day.

I finished watching him swim for 2 hrs, he's so graceful. Even when swimming vertically when looking for his floating black worm cubes! I tear them into bite size pieces for him. I was told 20" if I was lucky. However, it was sold as an Ossa knife, that would eat anything it could fit in its mouth! So that's all the information I had to work with, until I found this forum!!

 

[tlindsey]

Again thank you for the advice. He really likes his lift tube for the day time! Another food that he loves is ramshorn snails. I can't keep any alive in his tank, as he snacks on them! He really enjoys resting with his head protruding from the hole in the resin rock formation! He can park there for half of the day.

I finished watching him swim for 2 hrs, he's so graceful. Even when swimming vertically when looking for his floating black worm cubes! I tear them into bite size pieces for him. I was told 20" if I was lucky. However, it was sold as an Ossa knife, that would eat anything it could fit in its mouth! So that's all the information I had to work with, until I found this forum!!

Welcome aboard

 

[thefredpit]

I had a 12" carpo for a couple months before I traded him in he was a real a-hole. He even had a 14" common pleco running scared. Unfortunately at the time I didn't have the tank space to dedicate to just him like I do now

 

[Roxy55]

I think if my experiments prove fruitless with other fish as tank mates; I will keep him in his own tank. I love to be able to feed him special treats that the other fish don't get!! I can watch him for hours swimming! It's very relaxing! Unlike my tank with Convicts! They all stick to a 7" corner of my 55 gal! One even jumped out a half inch opening, landing in a shredder box of mail. It's a good thing my neighbor found it, sounded like a mouse trying to get out of a box. It's doing fine. I had to add salt back as little injuries are appearing again. I have plenty of caves, most of them want the same one!! So my knife and guppy tanks are my favourite and are relaxing to watch!!

 

[thefredpit]

another relaxing monster to watch are bichirs

 

[Roxy55]

I've never seen a photo of one! I'm in love with knives!! I'm seriously thinking about getting a 220 for a clown or royal, if I can find a royal.

My neighbor bought a 4" ck from a friend that purchased 2 in the city 3 hrs away. He put it in with his fancy gold fish. It was razor thin. I decided that I'd do some reading on here about tank size requirements. Before considering buying the fish. I wanted to learn what is the smallest foot print of a tank it needs and if any other fish can be kept with clowns!

Three days later it died. It was very pretty lots of spots. I knew without blood worms and special feedings, it wouldn't last long. This guy claims to have tons of fish experience too!!

A couple years ago I used to lurk on the forum in the general forum. I didn't know there was a clown knife forum until I googled something about knives and discovered it !!! There's a lot of valuable information on the entire site!