(Help) black ghost knife wont come out!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Dempseyfishman

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 27, 2011
24
0
0
426 18th ave.
I have a juvenile frontosa in what was my 125g dempsey breeding tank and my ghost knife just chills in a corner of lava rock 24/7.... Ive rearanged the tank and mostly the lava rock to at least make him a formidable cave that he doesnt have live in secret. But... He likes the smallest of cracks. What would you recomend?? He isnt threatend by the frontosa. In fact i dont think that the frontosa even knows that there is another fish ib the tank.
 
get him see-through tubes. &/or stick a pipe which is sawed in half right against the front tank glass. they feel secure in there and don't know they are watched. they mostly go by senses other than eyesight. if you can eliminate the little cracks he WILL use alternatives. baby BGKs are shy and stress out if always bothered. they get to know where their places are in a tank (usually in the dark) it's best to set things up and not change it much at first. more hidey-holes are better, so when he explores he can easily get inside. just make them so you also enjoy the view. they will even rest in broad silk plant leaves.
they like to eat in their holes at first. with time they can learn to associate you with providing food and become tame. once a BG settles in, they're one of my top faves.
 
ps, lunar lights make for great night time viewing. google it with BGK...
 
They are naturally shy nocturnal fish. It might take time for it to become comfortable to roam around freely. You can go with a clear pipe that they sell specifically for Knives or if you want a more natural look, you can place some driftwood or slate rock up against the front of the tank (make sure it's not too heavy) to see if it'll hide there and it'll be open for your viewing pleasure.

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handfeed.. every skittish fish I've had once handfeeding is one of the most boisterous fish I own... atm my spiney eels are border-line about to jump out of the tank for food... just take a cube of frozen bloodworms and stick your hand in so the cube is just outside his home and drop it once it defrosts.. and withdraw... when he comes to get the food.. drop it and leave your hand... then hold the cube while he eats... most reclusive species it;s taken me at most 2 monthes of doing this a few times a week to "tame" them. avoid spooking him, which at first will happen mor eoften then not. I've also had this work ina matter of days when a fish "just gets it". Once he handfeeds if he's still hiding all the time I'de look for other issues, but 99% of the time it's sheer shyness.

after 1yr our aba aba will come out in full light and chill out... he is not handfed. But I've had fed a few BGK's, and spiney eels, and other shy/reclusive species as long as their teeth whern't to big ;)
 
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