Can two Gymnotus knife fishes be kept together? One is a G. Pedanopterus and the other is a G. Carapo. They're both around 10-12 inches.
Two Gymnotus' Together?
- Thread starter MarcusK408
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What is the common name for the pedanopterus? I don't know if I've kept one, bought my knifefish by common names and never looked them up. The banded knives get to 18" and eat small 3-4" fish with no problem but weren't very aggresive in a heavily planted tank. Mine did get into a few squabbles with a marbled knife about the same size (around 10") over favorite overhangs and caves, no real damage done but some startling splashing.MarcusK408 said:
Any Gymnotus species that I've kept (G. carapo, G. anguillaris and several individuals of both) are very aggressive to others in their genus, though they are generally peaceful towards other fish and even knives of different "looks". I wouldn't try it...
I don't know the common name of G. Pedanopterus but here's a picture of one.
http://gwsphotos.com/images/2029.jpg
http://gwsphotos.com/images/2029.jpg
It was my understanding that any Gymnotus species are considered 'Electrical' Fish, and housing multiple ones in the same tank can cause problems with 'Frequency'.. ? For this reason I never house 2 black ghost knife (Even though they are Apternotus), because they can stress each other out. I often go to Petcos and see 4-5 black ghosts in one tank, while one looks healthy and dominant, the other are in the corners or swimming in loops.
I was also told it's not a good idea to mix gymnotus with mormyrids, because that family also uses electrical frequencies for navigation.
I once read a really interesting study where a guy could pick up knife fish frequency's with special machinery. He was using black ghost knifes and juvie aba aba knives to conduct tests at a university. If you enjoy scientific reports, especially having to do with electrical currents in fish, here's the Link.
The common name for the knifefish in the link picture is called 'Flash Zebra Carapo Knife', and they are very aggresive. Carapo's aren't any sissy's either.. Housing these 2 knives togethor would mean sure death for one or the other.
I was also told it's not a good idea to mix gymnotus with mormyrids, because that family also uses electrical frequencies for navigation.
I once read a really interesting study where a guy could pick up knife fish frequency's with special machinery. He was using black ghost knifes and juvie aba aba knives to conduct tests at a university. If you enjoy scientific reports, especially having to do with electrical currents in fish, here's the Link.
The common name for the knifefish in the link picture is called 'Flash Zebra Carapo Knife', and they are very aggresive. Carapo's aren't any sissy's either.. Housing these 2 knives togethor would mean sure death for one or the other.
Thanks Miles, I saw the pic and it looked to like the banded to me so I would have guessed no. Marbled knives are small mouthed and feed mainly on worms and small inverts, it was always chased out of what ever hole the banded wanted. I think the heavy water flow in my tank might have helped, that tank was either a 75g or a 90g,(it has been a while) and had powerheadsin each corner giving a strong circular current. They are electrics like elephantnose which is why even clear tubes give them comfort.