Couple of questions on african knives

[Hendre]

Hey guys and gals, Hendre here.

I picked up an african knife 3 days ago and have a few things i want to clarify, my tank is 75 gallon long

1- do they come out often during the day if i get some floating plants? some sources say they do but as of now he hides in his pipes.

2- Best way to get food to him? Currently i am squirting water containing bloodworm into his pipe before lights out because NO pellets or bloodworm get past my little pink tail chalcus.

3- Can i get more knives in the tank? some people say they dont like con-specifics, is that true?

4- anyone ever bred them, and how?

5- will they be fine with african 3-stripe catfish (get 3 or so inches) ? i want to get a school of them to grow out.

Any help is appreciated. Have a nice day

 

[Angelphish]

I wouldn't put more knives in a 75. If yours is small enough just put everything in a powerade/gatorade bottle. Those bottles have larger caps and a powerade bottle easily fits my 6" BGK.

 

[ehh]

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Knifefish/AfricanKnifefish.php

 

[Hendre]

Mine has 50mm PVC tube pieces and a small piece of wood

 

[Angelphish]

Mine has 50mm PVC tube pieces and a small piece of wood

I like bottles because it's closed off so no food can fall out. Along with that only the knifefish can get in.

 

[Hendre]

I like bottles because it's closed off so no food can fall out. Along with that only the knifefish can get in.

He is the only competitor, my synodontis hides behind the heater and will be sold when he reaches a respectable size

 

[Angelphish]

He doesn't push food out of the pipe?

 

[celebrist]

My African knife came out in the day and would take flakes from my hand. Easily my favorite knife and I plan on getting a new one soon. (my old one passed away several years ago). I would not add another knife to your tank but the 75 should be good for life for him.

 

[Angelphish]

This is my high tech knife fish feeding set up.

 

[Hendre]

My African knife came out in the day and would take flakes from my hand. Easily my favorite knife and I plan on getting a new one soon. (my old one passed away several years ago). I would not add another knife to your tank but the 75 should be good for life for him.

He will one day share his tank with a shoaling fish, most likely the 3 stripe african catfish that i will get if my pink tail is aggressive in the long run. The other featherfin cat was mostly an impulse buy but ill see what happens w/ him