Just picked up a used 265 and want to put some ancient beauties in it. First thing I want to do is set the overflow so that the water level is around 24" of the 30 tank height due to the fact that I want to put floating plants that I'd like to see the tops of. I know I will get flamed for this, but I still want to hear opinions on this. Second, I need to pick species of knife fish to keep. The more I read the more I hear that I can only keep one knife in the tank. If that is the case I like P. Afer, aba aba, black ghost, and tiger or carapo knifes - which one(s) do you guys think. The tank will have MANY hiding places for he or them. I also want to keep hopefully a couple bichirs and ropefish as well as fwmorays or other eels. I love big catfish, but the tank won't support them and I am sick of hearing about them constantly eating their tankmates so I have decided on a giraffe catfish or 2. I would like to try to establish a school of upper water fish that can hopefully reproduce quickly and add some color and activity to the tank. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
stocking options for my 265 - please help!
- Thread starter NiceGuyNick
- Start date
I have a clown knife thats about 4-5" and I love him, I think you would too. I like all knife fish though so I don't know which one I would suggest you get. Aba Aba Knives, Papyrocranus afer knives, tiger knives, and carapo (banded knives) are uncommon and might be hard for you to find. BGK's are common though so I don't think you would have trouble getting one of those.
Knife fish are generally peaceful towards other fish, when knife fish become adults they will get more aggressive/territorial especially towards their own kind. So, its best to only house one. Your tank is pretty big though so you might be able to get away with having more than 1 knife fish in the same tank. I've never tried it before, and it could work out but no guarantees. I think rope fish and bichirs would be great tankmates. Also, any other fish that wouldn't be able to eat the knife fish would be great too and if they aren't aggressive where they will bite your knife fish's fins.
Knife fish are generally peaceful towards other fish, when knife fish become adults they will get more aggressive/territorial especially towards their own kind. So, its best to only house one. Your tank is pretty big though so you might be able to get away with having more than 1 knife fish in the same tank. I've never tried it before, and it could work out but no guarantees. I think rope fish and bichirs would be great tankmates. Also, any other fish that wouldn't be able to eat the knife fish would be great too and if they aren't aggressive where they will bite your knife fish's fins.
thanks CK! I think I might just go for it with a group of juveniles and see if they get along. I can always pass them onto someone else if they don't. I plan on loading the tank with a ton of driftwood, rock caves and plants for plenty of territories.
No problem and I think they will love the caves and plants VERY much! Knife fish like to hide and are nocturnal so the caves will provide an excellent get away and place to hide with very little to no light. The plants will also make them feel more at home.
You should post some pics of your setup later after its done and with the fish you purchased, I'm sure it will look badass!!
Thanks everybody. Definitely will get some pics up when I get this thing up and running. Been thinking of adding a giant gourami to the list also for a little more personality and maybe a dat.
Hey guys,
Trying to get a few more fish for my 265 west african tank. Current stock: african butterfly fish, 6 congo tetras, 10 red eye tetras, 6-7" ornate bichir, 6-7" dolphin morm., 4-5" giraffe catfish, (3) kribensis cichlids. Any suggestions good or bad are appreciated.
Trying to get a few more fish for my 265 west african tank. Current stock: african butterfly fish, 6 congo tetras, 10 red eye tetras, 6-7" ornate bichir, 6-7" dolphin morm., 4-5" giraffe catfish, (3) kribensis cichlids. Any suggestions good or bad are appreciated.
Hey guys,
Trying to get a few more fish for my 265 west african tank. Current stock: african butterfly fish, 6 congo tetras, 10 red eye tetras, 6-7" ornate bichir, 6-7" dolphin morm., 4-5" giraffe catfish, (3) kribensis cichlids. Any suggestions good or bad are appreciated. ​
Trying to get a few more fish for my 265 west african tank. Current stock: african butterfly fish, 6 congo tetras, 10 red eye tetras, 6-7" ornate bichir, 6-7" dolphin morm., 4-5" giraffe catfish, (3) kribensis cichlids. Any suggestions good or bad are appreciated. ​