Possibly getting a BGK. Need More Info...

[Disturbed.Cobra]

Hi all, first time posting here, so bear with me if I ask too many questions. Trying to get all my research done ahead of time, yeah?

So in the next 2-3 weeks I’ll be getting a 100+ gallon tank. I am wanting to get a BGK. This is what I need to know:

- I've read they like fast flowing water, so should I get 1 high powered filter, and 1 not so much, or 2 high powered filters?
- I've read they also like a sandy bottom, but all the pics I’ve seen of them they are either in a tank with no gravel or sand at all, or its been the little gravel rocks normally seen in beginner aquariums. So, do they prefer sand, or rocks?
- Also, how many plants are needed? I know they like hiding places and such, but can the plants be fake? I have had too many bad experiences with live plans, don’t want them anymore.
- How many caves/logs for hiding? I have 1 cave right now that will go in, and I’m going to get another larger cave and a root system for the middle, is that enough, or should I get more?
- Diet? When I first get it (The store(s) I will/might buy from sells them from 1-2 inches) what should I feed? Flakes at first and as they grow feeder shrimp, feeder goldfish, etc? Or what?
- Do they get along well with algae eaters? My last Pleco got eaten by my Cichlid, I know the BGK's will eat fish smaller than itself, but as long as the Pleco isn’t too small, should it be safe? Or should I invest in a completely different species of algae eater?
- Tank mates? I know BGK's don’t get along with each other in a small environment. So what would be a few ideal tank mates that won’t attack or bully the BGK? A few other people have suggested Discus and such, but I want something a little more... Exotic I guess? Nothing that I have to have shipped to me because I don’t like the idea of opening a box to a dead stingray, but something I can find in a specialty fish store type of thing.
- Also, I noticed someone said something about having Lunar Lights on their tank. They mentioned that at a certain time the lights turned from white/normal to blue, and made his BGK look amazing. Is there such a thing, or is it a lame story made up by someone wanting attention?

Thanks for any help guys. Feel free to offer any advice I didn’t ask for as well. I’m not new to aquariums, but am new to BGK's.

 

[benzjamin13]

Check out the sticky
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168583

Seems like it will help answer most of your questions, but other than that, plants can be fake and the more hiding spaces, the more territory it has

 

[Industrial]

They only eat frozen and live foods and not flakes. I suggest feeding him frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and similar sized frozen/live foods to begin with.

Normally, they come from slow moving waters, however in captivity, every fish is different and many swamp fish do seem to like swimming in the current for a few minutes every day. I would suggest making sure he has an area of slow moving water incase he doesn't like current. A power filter won't really create current, but powerheads and canister filters will.

As for lighting, just use standard lighting. That will be fine.

I wouldn't add a pleco just because they get territorial and lots of them quite large and they may attack the knifefish. Algae too, can be easily maintained as long as you don't overfeed your tanks and keep up on maintenance and add plants. I have a 10g tank with guppies and woodcats and lowlight plants and I scrub algae once every 3-4 months when I see a little bit build up. There is no excess food, plants prefer my lighting, and I keep up on maintenance! IMO no tank needs and algae eater. There are thousands of species of fish, and nobody on here knows everyone that your specialty store has that can mix. I would check out the store regularly, and when something catches your eye, put it on hold for a couple days, research the fish and then buy it if it would be compatible.

Any substrate will be fine for your BGK. No fish needs bare tanks, in the wild there is no glass substrate!

Do make sure you cycle your tank before buying a BGK. Make sure you read up on cycling fish tanks. There are stickies in this forum I believe.

 

[cmj15]

my BGK eats flakes, pellets, live, frozen, or pretty much anything else i put into the tank

 

[Industrial]

my BGK eats flakes, pellets, live, frozen, or pretty much anything else i put into the tank

While not all fish are the same, knifefish in general aren't one of those fish I would get expecting it to thrive on flake. It should be clarified, that most BGKs are finicky eaters.

 

[Bderick67]

Welcome to MFK, from a fellow Coloradian.
I've never seen a BGK that wouldn't accept a good quality shrimp pellet. Frozen blood worms and brine shrimp are eagerly taken. You can also feed frozen market shrimp, fish fillets, silver sides and earthworms, though you may have to cut for size.