Tank size for BKF's

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pugwash

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 19, 2006
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Was in my LFS on the weekend and spotted some BKF's (Black Knife Fish) going for £8 and were roughly 4-5 inches, and was the first time I've been 'wowwed' by a fish! And I've been keeping fish for over 15 years!

So, I've done a little research, and was pointed here from another forum (and seems even better). The general consensus seems to be that they top out at around 18" in captivity, so at least a 2 foot wide tank is required. So I'm thinking either a 4'x2'x2' tank may suffice for an adult, but leaning towards a 6'x2'x2'.

The other forum suggested growing on in a 55g and then transferring to the adult tank of 200g. Currently I do have a 55g, and am wondering if I can temporily put one in here and a couple of years down the line get a larger tank when we move house.

Really, just wondering what the optimal tank size for an adult one would be (volume and dimensions, as I struggle to figure both out), as I stock to adult size and leave everything to grow. Quite fancy a school of congo tetra's as well, and assume they won't become dinner.

There was an attachment in a thread somewhere in here that I found before I registered, and now I can't find it!
 
I meant BGF's, as opposed to BKF's. Just getting used to the acronyms! Can't edit for some reason (first post?).
 
im guess you mean bgk black ghost knifefish you could grow one out in a 55 but not for a couple years i would say a good 6 months and a 6x2x2(180gal)would be the better choice very peacful fish will prob max out around 18"-20" will devour live blackworms..you can find lots of info on the web just google black ghost kinfe(knifefish)
 
Yeah, that's what I meant - the Black Ghost Knifefish. Just getting used to the acronyms. I'm in favour of the 6x2x2, but it looks like it'll be a while away after we move house :cry:

Thinking I may go down the biotype route though, as I was going to build a South American biotype with my 55g, but ended up doing an Asian one (by popular demand of the family!)

Will 4 Banjo catfish survive in a tank with a BGK? As they are comparatively small with a long tail (6 inches) will they be eaten? Althougth they do burrow and a sandy substrate would be used.

Also, what would be a good schooling fish, as congo tetra's will be out if going down the SA biotype route.

Anything for the top, as I'd imagine hatchetfish are too small...
 
The GKF or BGF will surely gulp down anything that fits in its mouth, also its nocturnal so the tetras will be eaten in the dark. Amazing fish btw.
 
at 4"-5" they have very small mouths so there isnt many fish it could actually eat unitl its well over 12" but i would just wait until you get the 180 cause what ifs can always be delayed and turned into never
 
Thanks guys - I'm gonna hold out on the BGK and wait for us to move and then get a 180g.

However, I'm wondering if my existing 55g whould be sufficient for an Elephantnose - tank mates would be something like killifish for the top, a school of congo tetra's, and something undecided to share the bottom with the Elephant nose. Would this work?
 
i would say no because they also get to big and when it outgrows the 55gal it couldnt go into a 180 with the bgk...well it could but its not reccomended because they are both electric fish and they dont get along to well..
 
OK, I'll heed your advice and wait for the 180, as I don't like fish in cramped conditions leading to stunted growth.

Just out of curiousity, what would be a good schooling fish for the 180 with the BGK in? Ideally from South American climates, but open minded.
 
Giant Danios
Silver Dollars
maybe a school of catfish, but i would fear the spines would hurt the knife if a catfish was eaten.
 
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