Compatibility with BGK?

[DaneDodger]

This is what I've found so far, please let me know if you disagree with any of it:
black ghost knife Apteronotus albifrons
up to 20"
ph 6-8
hardness soft to med
temp 73-82
fast water stream with sandy bottom
low light
hiding places
nocturnal
peaceful with similar sized tankmates but aggressive eaters
carnivore
min 50 gallons
I plan to do a planted tank with plants, woods, etc native to the areas knifes are found in. The only trouble I'm really having is with compatible tankmates. I've seen them put with everything from cardinal tetras to cichlids! I've also been told they absolutely can't go with smaller fish (like those tetras!) because they'll definitely eat them, can't go with most cichlids because they'll get eaten up...argghhh Did the people with cardinal tetras get away with such small fish in with a GBK with luck in the personality of the GBK/not feeding any feeder fish/enough tank room and hiding spots for the tetras? Could anyone just give me a list of fish that you feel would be compatible for me to choose from?
Thanks!!!

 

[Lund]

I have silver dollars, clown loaches, angels, and a pleco, with my 12" bgk. I have also had platty's in there to. I never had any problems with this combination of fish. My bgk only get mean with the others if they try to go into his log. He's kind of protective over his area. All that he's ever done is just chase. I have no nipped or shredded fins on any of my fish.

Oh, the platty's were just transferred to a different tank. not eaten or anything like that.

Your tank sounds like it will be really cool when it's all set up. post some pics if you can.

 

[killerfish]

well like you sead thay can get to 20'' so a 50 might be to small i think a 70 would be good if you got one that got to 20'' but the people with tetras got away with this i think because thay were in there before the knife i hear that fish already in there are usually left alone but newcomers better be big enough to avoid being eatin but the knife could certainly pick off them at night if it wanted but i would recomend some kind of catfish or loach, sliver dollars look nice but might not work if you whant a planted tank

 

[benzjamin13]

Silver Dollars will definitely not work in a planted tank. It depends on the Cichlids you intend to keep with the BGK. Angels might work just cuz they're "tall" and they can get to a decent size. And a fancy pleco.

 

[dark_knights_99]

Is it ok to put bichirs with the bgk? In another forum that i've read, they say that bgk and bichirs will not do because bichirs tend to be fin nippers.

 

[Mem]

Is it ok to put bichirs with the bgk? In another forum that i've read, they say that bgk and bichirs will not do because bichirs tend to be fin nippers.

I can say that ATM My BGK is living in a 120 with 5 bichir and no issues. Not only do the bichir not bother the knife but they tend to at times share hiding spots with the knife hanging out between 2 senegals.

(Tank has 3 senegal and 2 delhezi)