Missing fin on new baby ghost

[wannaarro]

So, I'm almost finished with cycling my new 55, and while at lfs found a lone, 5" baby black ghost. I was mesmerized, watched it for a long time. Decided to buy it and put it in my established 10g alone until I'm finished cycling.

As I've been learning how much to feed him, frozen bloodworms, freeze-dried brine shrimp, granules, I've had to do 30% water changes every other day (he's been here 6 days). Vac'd gravel, used turkey baster to remove excess food.

Biowheel filter, small heater @80 degrees, resin "cave" rock, 2 silk plants, anacharis. Water params are: Ammo .5
'Trites: .0
'Trates: 10

He is active, eats, swims, plays, but I noticed tonite after WC and vac that he was missing the vast majority of one of his fins--there's just a little nub like Nemo's special fin. He's getting around fine; I added StressCoat tonite since it has regenerative qualities.
My question is, do knifes indeed regrow fins? If not, will he still have quality of life? I would hate to return him since they would probably just throw him away. I can live with a nubbin if he can!!
Thank you in advance--hopefully other ghost lovers can help!! He's my first (future) monster fish!!! ~Renee

 

[KnivesRule]

The fin should grow back. I am amazed at the regenerative properties of the knifefish. One of my guys had his dorsal fin split all the way down to where it attaches. In less than a week, it healed! I have found that the small side fins repair more slowly, but eventually they heal as well. I have a mean royal knife who occasionally attacks my others inflicting bites and tears in their fins. But all have healed. Your little guy should be ok. In the mean time, he will get used to it and should not have any trouble while it heals. I hope this helps....

 

[kody1192]

good pick up would like to see some pics. just to let you know that when full grown a black ghost knife gets 20" long. my point being he is gonna out grow your 55 gallon. he will need at least a 75 gallon or bigger. anyways how much was he? mine is about 4 or 5 inches and i got him for 13.50.

 

[wannaarro]

Thanks for the encouraging news, knivesrule. This little guy is so awesome; finished the bio media cycle in 8 days (wanted to make sure); success! so he's been in the 55 a while. Love to watch him glide across the space of the tank while he's stilll small!! I'm amazed by how quickly the dorsal fin healed on yours--I'm patient, and will continue with lots of quality water and StressCoat. He gets around fine. . . Meantime. . .

I'm addicted now to the monsters, and am planning on adding next a 90 or 120; by the time he's too big for the 55, he will already be established in the larger tank!! (I plan ahead for my critters--got 3 horses, too). He has a funky resin rock cave, a broadleaf plant, and a conch shell right now for hiding. I'll take pix this weekend. Ghosts aren't too common in my region, so he was alot more expensive than yours, kody--twenty bucks. But worth it, and he'll have a great life (as much as he can in captivity). But it isn't always the money. . . . I love that he will grow up with me, already getting used to me. Thanks so much, ya'll!! I just couldn't take him back to a certain death. . . . .

 

[kody1192]

$20 isnt bad. try to post pics if you can. i love how they swim it looks like they are just floating around the tank. my dad use race horses. standardbreds i love horses i dont have any now. wish i did tho

 

[wannaarro]

Here are some not too good pix of the BGK, and some of the baby cichs. Learning how to photo fish--harder than horses!

 

[sour_girl]

Looking Good!!!

 

[kody1192]

He's about the size of my bgk. Got a couple good pics they are hard to take pics of.

 

[wannaarro]

Thanks!! Ya, those fluttering movements are hard to catch. He seems to be doing fine, happy, so I'm thrilled!! I figured he was close to yours, Kody--somewhere around 5 inches. Really glad he showed up at the store--he's a keeper! Caught him eating on the tetra in one--savage little beastie . I appreciate all the help--was hoping you'd noticed I'd added pix. ~ renee