Hey guys, Question about BGK~

[Swarsh]

Hey all,
Been looking at Black ghost knifefish for a while, and finally decided that I want one!

Just one questions:
1. Are they ok with other pred fish? (mainly datnoid)

and.... What do i look for when i purchase a BGK??

Thanks,
Swarsh

Also do they grow fast??

 

[Inglorious]

In my experience BGK are too passive to be successfully kept with any aggressive or semi-aggressive fish, you might have better luck though. If you can get(and house) a clown knife then it would have a much better chance of thriving. IMO they are just as fascinating to watch, and they have spectacular coloring.

 

[benzjamin13]

Dats are perfectly fine tank mates as those are also in my stock list along with some Polys. Personally, I would look for the most out going BGK as they can be quite shy. They are known to be slow growing fish...about 1/2" per month.

 

[Swarsh]

Ahh, sounds good~ as i'm starting a new tank, so ill be looking for small dats and also a small BGK~ personally i think BGK looks the best

Glad to hear that they should be ok (in some cases... haha)~

Would I need to look out for anything in particular ? or just try find a outgoing non-shy one?

thanks,
Swarsh

 

[benzjamin13]

Actually, come to think about it, I was having issues where I was finding some of my Dats getting beaten up (3 out of 7) with one Dat fatality, and a Fei Feng fatality. Didn't know who it was, but I have a good idea that it might've been my BGK. So if you're going to get Dats, make sure they are a bit larger before getting a BGK. My BGK is 10" and doesn't mess with the 3 larger remaining Dats (6") I have in the tank. They aren't longer, but more robust.

 

[Swarsh]

hmmm i see...
suprising! haha
The dats I have atm are all pretty tough and dominates~
Didn't know BGK are aggressive!
1-2 inch a month... dats won't be able to match that growth...
Guess I'll have to find a baby BGK!

Swarsh

 

[benzjamin13]

They can be aggressive, usually keep to themselves. However, they won't back down from a fight or if something is trying to invade it's territory. When picking out your BGK, just pick one that doesn't seem as shy and/or more dominate than the other BGKs in the tank (basically, the most active one). Make sure it's color is black and not faded.

 

[Red Devil]

I find them a bit aggressive and at the same time a bit fragile...especially as babies.. you have to get them past a certain size and then they usually thrive ... mine is over a foot in size and never bothers anyone.. but they can whip around and smack into other fish just due to their swimming ability ..which is unique and wonderful. Due to poor eyesight though they may crash with other tank mates wimming in close proximity..they also have small mouths so take into consideration that other fish eat faster and move away faster then a BGK.. they are usually on the bottom of the tank in a cave until feeding time.. in the beginning you will need a pair of thongs to deliver the food to the BGK since he may be too shy to come out to eat.. he will change and gain more confidence once he is used to the tank and has grown some...




..

 

[Swarsh]

Hmmm i see,
I have seen some at LFS around 3 inch's or so~
Is that a safe "age" to get them at? or should I go for the slightly bigger ones 4-5 ?

Swarsh

 

[Red Devil]

Hmmm i see,
I have seen some at LFS around 3 inch's or so~
Is that a safe "age" to get them at? or should I go for the slightly bigger ones 4-5 ?

Swarsh

A little bigger is always a bit better..of course no quarentee.. but just usually has a little more strength and not as fragile..as an infant.. so slightly bigger is good.. they are not born in captivity so also getting them a little bigger helps.. i just think of them as a wee bit stronger.. what i did with mine was put him in his own little tank.. so there was nothing to bother him.. got him eating and growing and then put him into the tank with other tankmates.. this is not nessasary.. but anything you can do in the beginning to keep them growing and eating is a good foundation for having them for many years to come.. i think it is these beginning steps that help insure good survival rate..