General Brown knife info?

[Gourami Swami]

Hello... im sure there has been a thread like this before, but some of the ones i found didn't answer all of my questions. Basically what I want to know about african/brown knifefish is if they hide 24/7 or if they are active, kind of like a CK? When they are bigger do they eat feeder fish? I really want a CK but dont have a 300g... yet

Also, Are there any other type of knifes that would fit my needs? The knife would have to get under 16", and I would like one that is predatory and active )not too shy) but also not an agressive killer.

 

[Father Azmodius]

I have an african brown that is fairly active, but has only eaten 2 feeders in the 1.5 years I've had him. He's only about 6", and I doubt he'll get much bigger, but I have had one that was a little longer.

 

[wannaarro]

Brown knives are supposed to mox out at 10", I've had mine about 4 months and it was between 4 and 5 inches. Now he's between 7 and 8 inches, and is thriving in a 55 with severums. Lots of clean water and quality food--I don't think live feeders are necessary, to be honest. My BGK and Clown have done very well on quality foods: frozen bloodworms and beefheart, an assortment of flake type foods, pellets and granules and HBH soft pellets. They all come out during the day--the big guys are still in a 125 with some sevs (and don't bother one another a bit--both 10 inches or so). Water changes, space and quality food are primary.

 

[jdryden]

I've got one in my 100G oddball tank that is out and about. But the only hides in there are pvc, but its still never used them. I have another small one in my 29 grow out and it hides constantly, until the lights go off or I feed.

 

[benzjamin13]

African Knives are a lot more secretive than it's Asian counterparts. They're not as predatory, but will eat feeders from time to time. They can get anywhere from 8" (being the average) to 12"

If you can find them, try Notopterus Notopterus (Black Asian Knife or Bronze Knife) They look similar to the African with the exception of a darker metallic color and the presence of a dorsal fin. They gat 12" to 14" They've been known to be the most agressive knife species, but there have been some members on here that say their not bad at all. After all...the books say that CKs are very aggressive and should be kept alone, but from my experience (along with a lot of other members) their fine with other fish and sometimes will hang in pairs.