Black Ghost Knifefish For Sale? The 73 Top Answers

The Black Ghost Knifefish is a truly unique fish.

Their electrosensory system, high-contrast colors and the lack of a classic fish shape will surely attract everyone’s attention.

Although these fish are shy, they quickly warm up and become more conspicuous. This is where you can start to appreciate the beauty they can bring to your aquarium.

Interested in keeping this superb nerd?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about this spectacular fish…

Black Ghost Knifefish Other Common Names: Black Knife, BGK, Apteronotus Eel Scientific Name: Apteronotus albifrons Family Name: Apteronotidae Distribution: South America Size: 18-20 inches Color: Black and white Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Lifespan: 15 years minimum Tank Size: 120 Gallon Tank Mate Compatibility: Other large and docile freshwater fish

Black Ghost Knifefish Overview

The black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) is a tropical freshwater fish in the Apteronotidae family.

This species is native to South America, living in the river basins of Venezuela and Paraguay and the Amazon Basin of Peru. They can be found in dense vegetation where there are many places to hide.

Black Ghost Knifefish are unique due to their swimming style and electroreception abilities.

They use their lower fin for movement rather than contracting their body and swinging their tail for movement.

As for their electroreception ability, they can emit electrical pulses to track their surroundings – this also highlights prey and hiding spots. Her ability to use electricity explains the evolution of her swimming style, as flexing her body disrupts her electrical signals.

Despite being a predatory species (like Chili Rasboras), they are surprisingly docile towards other species that they don’t consider food.

With proper care, they can live more than a decade and grow to half a meter in length.

Expect to pay around $17-$22 for each Black Ghost Knifefish.

Important facts:

Required Experience: Moderate.

Moderate. Nickname: Black Knife.

black knife Color Forms: Black and White.

Black and white. Size: 18-20 inches.

18-20 inches. Tank Size: 120+ gallons minimum.

At least 120+ gallon. Tank Temperature: 73-80°F.

Pros Completely unique fish.

Peaceful with other similar sized fish.

Simple care and dietary requirements.

Very interesting look. Cons Requires a very large aquarium (120+ gallons).

Can only hold one in each tank.

Nocturnal.

Requires a well planned aquarium.

Black Ghost Knifefish Care Guide

Caring for a Black Ghost Knifefish is fairly easy.

If you provide them with a varied diet and stable water levels, they will be happy.

The main thing is that because they don’t have scales, they are more susceptible to infection. They are particularly susceptible to ego, external parasites, and white spot disease.

These diseases are often attributed to something new being introduced into your pelvis. It is important to quarantine any new additions to your aquarium to ensure they are healthy before adding them to your tank.

The last thing to consider is a varied diet to ward off infection.

diet

This fish is a carnivore, meaning it only eats meat.

That means your plants won’t be harmed by their fish.

In the wild, they eat insects, small fish, and small invertebrates. They will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth.

To recreate this varied diet, you need to feed your fish quality live or frozen food.

Black ghost knifefish are not picky eaters.

You will like to eat:

bloodworms

Artemia

grilling

To fly

mosquito larvae

daphnia

Frozen shrimp

krill

Tubifex worms

Just make sure to give them variety.

One thing to know is that they have trouble eating dry foods. Therefore, it is generally best not to feed them fish flakes.

They need to be fed daily.

As nocturnal animals, they should be fed at night rather than during the day.

You may have seen videos of people hand-feeding their knifefish. This form of nutrition is cathartic, but of course it requires a large investment of time. If this fish doesn’t need to be fed, don’t worry if you don’t have enough time to train it. They like to eat out of the tank instead.

behavior

The black ghost knifefish is nocturnal.

This means that this fish will hang out at all the hiding places scattered around the tank during the day – keeping a den for them is crucial.

Also because they are nocturnal their eyesight is very poor and they tend to use their electric field to find food and navigate the riverbeds. This sense is so well tuned that they navigate in complete darkness.

When active they tend to hang around near the bottom of the tank and are quite shy. However, this shyness generally subsides as they become accustomed to the environment and residents.

You can expect a peaceful fish despite their size.

They are aggressive only during the breeding season or towards conspecifics.

Set up habitat and aquarium

The black ghost knifefish lives in the freshwater rivers of South America.

These rivers are fast-flowing with sandy substrates and plenty of hiding spots.

The water conditions here are generally cloudy, slightly acidic and shady.

This is because these benthic regions are surrounded by foliage, meaning they are also used to low light conditions. These low light conditions help them to hide because of their color. By nature, this fish is very shy and nocturnal, so hiding is a necessity.

Let’s look at how to replicate these water conditions in your home aquarium.

Set up an aquarium

You need to keep the water heated to around 78°F.

The PH value should be kept between 6.0-7.0 and the water hardness should be kept at dGH 5-19.

The water flow should be kept at a medium flow.

Once you’ve mimicked their water parameters, you now need to replicate their habitat.

The main thing is to provide them with plenty of places to hide. This can include floating plants, sinking driftwood, and other decorations. A favorite hiding spot for them is a PVC pipe wide and long enough to hide them completely.

You can use a sandy or fine gravel substrate.

Finally, you need to establish a stable day-night cycle. This will help reduce their stress and keep them healthy. As for the light intensity, you should make sure that there is enough light to maintain all the plants in the aquarium.

aquarium conditions

Tank Parameter Requirement Minimum Tank Size 120 gallons Tank Type Freshwater Planted Temperature 73-80°F pH 6.0-7.0 Hardness 5-19 dGH Flow Media Substrate Sandy or fine gravel

What size aquarium do you need?

These fish grow up to 20 inches and need plenty of room to grow and thrive.

Each Black Ghost Knifefish requires at least 120 gallons.

You should make sure your floor is strong enough to support that weight. A 120 gallon tank weighs at least 1000 pounds when fully loaded.

Appearance of the Black Ghost Knifefish

The Black Ghost Knifefish is easily distinguished by its long, cone-like body.

They have relatively small pectoral fins and a small to nonexistent caudal fin.

You’ll notice they don’t have scales or a dorsal fin either. Instead, they have a smooth back in favor of a curtain-like anal fin that runs the full length of the underside of their ventral side.

When fully grown they can reach a length of 20 inches.

These fish are primarily black, but you’ll want to focus on their white coloring.

Some have a white blaze that extends to the back of the fish. Others have no such marking and only have the two white rings on their tail, which can vary in thickness.

There is also an albino morph also called the White Ghost Knifefish.

Trying to tell males and females apart is very difficult.

The most accurate method is to measure their electrical output, but this is not possible for most hobbyists. Look at their snout instead, as males tend to have a longer snout. While females tend to be wider and thicker compared to males.

Common color varieties

While the Black Ghost Knifefish is the most popular knifefish, there are several other species as well:

Apteronotus leptorhynchus (Brown Ghost Knifefish): They look like Black Ghost Knifefish except they are solid brown in color with muddy yellow accents.

They look like Black Ghost Knifefish except they are a solid brown color with muddy yellow accents. Eigenmannia virescens (Glass Knifefish): This fish is mostly translucent with red and brown coloring of its internal organs. These species are nearly the size of the black ghost knifefish.

This fish is mostly translucent with red and brown coloring of its internal organs. These species are nearly the size of the black ghost knifefish. Chitala ornata (Clown Knifefish): Clown knifefish are silvery in color and have an arched back with numerous spots on the tail. They are usually quite large and can reach 1 meter in length.

History and first sighting

The black ghost knifefish was first discovered by Linnaeus in 1766.

However, it was not until 1800 that Bernard Germain de Lacépède discovered them and named them Gymnotus albifrons and then Apteronotus passan.

Apart from these two documented events, not much is known about the history of this fish.

We know that there is a South American fairy tale that mentions that the souls of the deceased reside in this particular fish – hence their common name.

In the 1900s, this fish gained scientific attention due to its electrosensory organ.

This interest in their electrosensory systems is believed to have caused their popularity and transition to the hobby of fish farming.

tankmates

Since this species is native to the Amazon, introducing species that live in the same region would not be a problem.

Some popular examples are discus, catfish, angelfish and tetras.

Other fish from Southeast Asia may also be compatible. Examples are the giant gourami, oscars and catfish. Other larger tankmates include the Bristlenose Plecostomus, Clown Loaches, and Bala Sharks.

You need to make sure that any species you introduce into the tank are the correct size (around 6 inches).

Smaller fish species and aggressive fish species should be avoided altogether as the knifefish will either eat them or fight with them.

Since they are predatory fish, they also like to eat invertebrates.

All shrimp, small crabs and snails should be avoided.

Keep Black Ghost Knifefish together

You should not keep Black Ghost Knifefish together as their electrical signals can conflict.

It’s best to keep one person per tank to avoid complications.

You should also avoid other species of knifefish (e.g. brown ghost or glass knifefish) as they too emit conflicting electrical signals that will be distressing to both.

Breed Black Ghost Knifefish

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to breed Black Ghost Knifefish in home aquariums.

Most Black Ghost Knifefish that you find at aquarium suppliers come from professional breeding facilities in Asia, where they typically use hormones to induce breeding.

However, if you want to try breeding them, you will need a dedicated breeding tank.

They must also maintain pristine water parameters and successfully deploy a mating pair in a single tank. This assumes that you were able to successfully distinguish between a male and a female fish. However, most knifefish are sold genderless, so adding them to the same tank can be very risky.

Even beyond this point, details about mating and spawning behavior remain elusive.

You need a very large aquarium with lots of decor and low lighting. Water conditions should also be kept constant to avoid stress on the fish.

However, as mentioned earlier, you will need to experiment a lot and it is best to avoid breeding altogether.

Should You Keep Black Ghost Knifefish? (Summary)

Are you looking for a fish that will draw everyone’s attention?

Then the Black Ghost Knifefish might just be the right fish for you.

Their long anal fin and fascinating undulating movement for swimming is something that never gets old. Despite their appearance, they are among the hardier species of fish.

For those who have a large tank and want to add some variety, this fish is a great choice.

Is the Black Ghost Knifefish in your tank?

Let us know in the comments section below…

View Full Version : Angelfish + Black Ghost Knife

hobbyist245 I have 5 medium sized cobalt blue angelfish in a 65 gallon and each

I go down in the morning to see them and my fins are always torn open

Above could my black ghost knife do that?

talldutchie As it is a nocturnal predator it is certainly an option. It’s not a species I’d put with the angels.

Another option is aggression in the scalar group

Brhino I’m no angelfish keeper, but five of them in a 65 gallon sounds like a royal rumble waiting to be passed. Is there anything else in the BGK?

hobbyist245 in the 65 gallon I have:

1 Black Ghost Knife

5 angels

1 upside down cat

3 serps

4 black neons

1 pineapple sword

Brhino The other thing that stands out is that serpae tetras are notoriously quick, especially when kept in too small shoals, which you have, especially when you have long-finned targets, which you also have. So they could also be the culprits.

hobbyist245 well now it’s not the serpae because one of them pinched and before i had the angels alone with the black ghost knife and they still got pinched but the interesting thing is that the swordtail isn’t pinched at all even though it is the most colorful in the whole basin.

talldutchie Well me now it’s not the serpae because one of them gets pinched.

NOT CORRECT! Tetras like these establish a pecking order, and that can lead to pinched fins if you keep them in small numbers.

Now just my 2 cents, but…

What you have is a fish collection. If you want to avoid nipping problems, you need to get rid of them and work toward a community tank.

Lose the Swordtail and Knife and opt for either Black Neons or Serpae and keep them in decent numbers. If you don’t want to plant, at least get some wood for territorial borders.

Byron I agree. Serpae tetra, Hyphessobrycon eques, are notorious for fin-clipping. They should never be in a group smaller than 8, and many sources suggest 12 or more. This usually limits the munching to the group, but even so they should not be housed with calm and/or long finned fish (like angels, black ghost knives) as this will simply conjure up a temptation right in front of them. I would almost guarantee that the Serpae are behind the Angelfish fin problem.

In terms of angelfish and black ghost knifefish, this is actually a very good combination. Both fish are found in identical habitats and are slow to moderately flowing streams and rivers that are very heavily shaded so the sun never hits the water. I said they will live together… but not in a 65g tank. The BGK will reach 20 inches, sometimes a bit less in aquariums, and with an inflexible backbone it needs to have a tank that is at least 2 feet wide (front to back) and three times that long, i.e. 5-6 feet by 2 feet . This fish will not develop properly in small spaces. And that can lead to increased aggression, although for now I’m still certain that the culprit is the Serpae. I would remove them entirely and then plan for a larger tank if you keep the BGK.

Byron.

hobbyist245 Ok thanks. I have a 55 gallon and I only have 3 discus and 7 emperor tetras in it. Could I put the serpae in and make a big black neon swarm in the 65 gallons? Also, it’s an odd 65 gallon sphere, so I put the angels and spirit knife in it because it’s 36 inches high, 24 inches long, and 18 inches wide.

Sandz If you value your discus, NO. They pinch your angels because you don’t have a proper school.

You’re relatively new here, would you please list all the tanks you have and what’s in them?

hobbyist245 Sure I’ve been doing this for about a year now so here it is:

5 gallons:

3 glass cats

5 little guppies

1 female gourami

1 harlequin tetra

10 gallons:

1 male dwarf gourami

2 guppies

1 petricle syno

3 Korys

2 bristles

55 gallons:

3 discus

7 emperor tetras

20 gallon sized platys

and you already know what’s in the 65

talldutchie Oh my… well… good luck Sandz!

Sandz Lol thanks Dutchie…

First of all – do you test your tanks with a liquid test kit to know what your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are?

I can estimate that you have been at this for a year and most likely have a good knowledge of the job. What I’m trying to understand is your level of knowledge. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years from a breeder and hobbyist perspective.

5 gallons:

3 glass cats – how long have you had them? They are schooling fish that rarely accept standard food. If you let them eat, they’re fine for 15-20 gallons BUT usually require high flow and large numbers. In captivity, you’ll often see these fish consuming as they feed on food that comes by almost like a filter feeder. However, they are not high energy fish when it comes to movement.

5 small guppies – This is the only group of fish suitable for a tank of this size.

1 female gourami – what kind? A 20 gallon tank is usually the smallest I would put a gourami of any kind in. They are labyrinth fish which means they can breathe air in poor water quality BUT they should be in an adult sized tank. The only one that’s small enough is a honey gourami, and that’s a minimum of 10 gallons.

1 Harlequin Tetra – Halequins are a Rasbora, a schooling fish that requires at least 6 fish. I would take this fish and add 9 others and put it in with the discus.

10 gallons:

1 male dwarf gourami – what kind again?

2 guppies – ok

1 petricola syno – Rehome this fish – synodontis catfish don’t belong in any of your tanks unless you make your 65gal an African spinner tank.

3 armored catfish – what kind? They are a schooling fish that needs at least 6.

2 bristles – put them in the 55 or 65, this tank is way too small. Do you additionally feed these fish their own food along with driftwood?

55 gallons:

3 Discus – schooling fish that need at least 6

7 emperor tetras – ok

In the 65 gallon I have:

1 Black Ghost Knife – this fish will grow much larger than the tank you provide and will require a tank over 6ft. Give him a home while you can.

5 Angels – doesn’t fit BGK, but in big schools these fish can be ok. The general rule of thumb is 1 or 6 due to territorial requirements. I don’t know how big they are, but when they are sexually mature they will start fighting for space. This is a ticking time bomb and you don’t have a convenient place for extras.

1 flipped cat – another school of fish – takes 6+

3 Serpae – that’s half a school, double the number if you want to keep them and honestly 8-12 fish should be the goal.

4 black neons – that’s half a school, twice as many

1 Pineapple Sword – is ok in any of your tanks

Above is the breakdown of your tanks as you have them, without considering filtration. Your stocks are way off and I would consider taking fish to the pet store or taking them to the pet store for just about anything you have less than a shoal of. Then select the fish you want to focus on.

When building a tank, it’s important to consider the end result and ensure that your tankmates’ compatibility is maintained over the long term. We generally pick the largest fish, say discus or angels, and make an inventory of suitable species that meet the basic fish requirements.

In the other post, for example, we talk about your discus aquarium. Your discus are low immunity, high stress fish that need to be rotated at least 3-4 times a week in clean water at a rate of 50% or more to ensure adequate growth and good health. Tank mates for these fish as I have listed them for you there are proper schools that will live together long term.

Your angels will mate at least 1 in the 65 and the 4ft tank will be a terror when breeding season arrives. I would suggest rehabilitating 3 fish when you get this pair and then feeding suitable schools. Get rid of the serpae, because they are nimble fish that will take your angels’ fins. Increase the black neons to a school of 15, get a second school of fish like 10 emperor tetras, put your two BN catfish in here and call the tank fully stocked. This assumes a filtration rate of 4x water throughput for the tank/hour. This means you need a filter rated at 300 gph (gallons per hour) to compensate for the flow loss of the filter media. You need to do 50% or more water changes on this tank 1x/week.

The 5 and 10 gallon are perfect viviparous tanks for your guppies. 10 guppies in 5 gallons and just keeping the 10 guppies would be a good way.

You can keep the 10 gallons for the armored catfish school as long as it is the same armored catfish species, and then increase the # to 6 as long as it is a dwarf armored catfish species. Or move the school of Cory to the discus tank and up the count as said before and you can go all the way up to 10-12 in the 55 gallon.

I’ll leave it at that for now and then we can chat further if you have any questions/comments.

hobbyist245 Wow, you know a lot about fish! The types of gouramis I have are dwarf gouramis. The types of Corys I have are 2 albino and 1 orange laser armored catfish, I have 3 glass cats in the 5 and I am hoping to move them to a larger tank soon. And before I got the discus, I did a lot of research on it. I wish I could have bought more but they were overpriced but I have adequate filtration (110 gallons) on the 55. I like your ideas for the tanks and the serpaes are out there. The only reason I got them in the first place was to make sure my 65 was fully ridden, which it was. However, I don’t want to get rid of more fish than the serpaes, so buying another tank is always an option. Finally, all of my larger aquariums have Aquaclear filters while the smaller ones are whisper.

The reason I got into fish in the first place was the low cost and all the different species and when I got my fish I wanted a lot of variety so all my aquariums have fish that you would never think of together now is I realize that it is best to keep certain species together and in larger tanks. Thanks for the help by the way.

Byron And I agree with Sandz. There is much to learn and we have all been through it, although learning from others who know is better than trial and error; it saves a lot of fish.

Byron.

steeler58 I totally agree with Sandz about serpaes, I’m a big fan of tetras and tetras in general, but these guys seem to behave more like their piranha cousins ​​than others of this relatively peaceful family. There are several members on the forum who have kept them without mishap, but regardless of the size of the school I’ve kept in the past, sooner or later the weaker fish, our long-finned jack of all trades, will be pinched and tormented.

A very pretty fish but not for me, if you like the color and shape get Phantom Red Tetra.

On a positive note, they are aggressive and argumentative enough to stick with chiclids they can’t swallow.

Sandz Wow, you know a lot about fish! The types of gouramis I have are dwarf gouramis. The types of Corys I have are 2 albino and 1 orange laser armored catfish, I have 3 glass cats in the 5 and I am hoping to move them to a larger tank soon. And before I got the discus, I did a lot of research on it. I wish I could have bought more but they were overpriced but I have adequate filtration (110 gallons) on the 55. I like your ideas for the tanks and the serpaes are out there. The only reason I got them in the first place was to make sure my 65 was fully ridden, which it was. However, I don’t want to get rid of more fish than the serpaes, so buying another tank is always an option. Finally, all of my larger aquariums have Aquaclear filters while the smaller ones are whisper.

The reason I got into fish in the first place was the low cost and all the different species and when I got my fish I wanted a lot of variety so all my aquariums have fish that you would never think of together now is I realize that it is best to keep certain species together and in larger tanks. Thanks for the help by the way.

You are more than welcome for any help at any time. All I ask is that if we give you solid advice, follow it. If you have room in your house for more tanks, cool down. I personally have 40 lol. I would urge you to get the black ghost knife back home… you need this 6ft tank for it, and that’s a big purchase that requires more than a grand. The glass cats need to go too I think but if you insist on keeping them then they need proper schooling and also need to remember they get 4 inches. I know they’re cool, I know they’re different, but they’re also so difficult to care for properly. If you let them eat well, fine. If you are not sure, return them. The Synodontis has to go, seriously… I’m glad the Serpae are going back. The angels must be divided as indicated. They will mate soon, once that happens make sure they are split.

For the Cory you need 6 of each kind, so get 5 more Lasers and 4 more Albinos and put the fish in with the Discus or Angels.

Ok, as we talked about the 55 gallons having an AC70 it should suffice, but I would still look for a second filter. However, you have 300 gph filtration in this tank with no filter floss or anything in the filter. It fits.

Oh, even the gourami are semi-aggressive fish that need to be in a larger tank. You could possibly put one in the 65 (if he gets along with the angels) and one in the 55 gallons with the discus (if he gets along with them).

Also in regards to where you got your discus information from – research should have shown that the best way to keep these fish is to save the money and buy now. In this way they come from the same place and from the same environment. You can’t know 100% right now. Also, in bare bottom applications, they need to be up to 4.5 inches, as I mentioned earlier, to ensure proper growth in your tanks.

hobbyist245 I will somehow find a way to get a bigger tank for my BGK, now he is about 7 inches and looking again at my discus fish they are actually a good 4 inches. I’ve had them for about a month now and the pH is around 6-6.5 which I know they like. I can’t get rid of the syno petricola either he only grows 4 inches and he’s worth $80 fully grown he’s only 2 inches now and costs me $40 he’s very peaceful. I like the idea of ​​getting a few more armored catfish and putting them with the discus, maybe with a few schools of tetra and a ram. Also, I’ve had the glass cats for half a year now and they eat regularly since they’re almost fully grown. I have never had a problem with disease and all my fish seem to be in great shape as I do weekly water changes and keep up with my aquariums. My water is crystal clear all around with a pH of 7.2, except for the discus, which have a special substrate that buffers the pH down.

Oh yes, the gouramis are fully grown and only reach 2.5 inches in size.

And I will follow all your advice.

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Black Ghost Knifefish are very popular – they are an intriguing and elegant fish that will win your heart in no time.

From ghost stories to tribes in South America to electrogenesis, this fish will be a fun conversation starter in your home.

This fish is almost an exception to nature’s rules.

It has no scales or fins and its tail looks like a pole.

Read on to learn more about keeping Black Ghost Knifefish in your aquarium, from ideal tank conditions to feeding and the best tank companions.

Black Ghost Knifefish Facts & Overview

Category Rating Care Level: Advanced Temperament: Semi-Aggressive Color Shape: Black and White Lifespan: 10-15 years Size: 20 inches Diet: Carnivore Family: Apteronotidae Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons Tank Design: Tropical Freshwater Compatibility: Medium sized peaceful fish

The Black Ghost Knifefish is one of the most popular knifefish. It was originally known as Gymnotus albifrons and Apteronotus passan. But today this fish is known as Apteronotus albifrons.

Other common names by which it is known are the Apteronotid Eel and the Black Knife.

An interesting story about this fish is told by South American tribes. Among the tribes living in the Amazon jungle, it is believed that the souls of the dead inhabit these fish.

The common name of this fish, the ghost knifefish, comes from these stories.

These fish are primarily nocturnal and use electrolocation to navigate dark waters.

This fish has a fairly long lifespan and with proper care will be your companion for 15 years.

It’s available online or at pet stores for about $7.

behavior

Black Ghost Knifefish are tropical freshwater fish native to South America. These are nocturnal fish, being most active at night and resting during the day.

Being most active at night, their eyesight is not well developed, so they hunt and communicate using an electric field.

They are quite shy and not very social and prefer their own company – they can become quite aggressive when kept with other knifefish. After acclimating to the new environment, they come out of hiding at night and usually swim near the substrate or leaves and plants.

Looks

The Black Ghost Knifefish, as its name suggests, is all black except for two white rings on its tail and a white stripe on its nose, often extending down its back.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also knife-shaped—it doesn’t have a caudal or dorsal fin.

Their body is flat and elongated, reaching up to 20 inches in length when fully grown. The anal fin extends along the body from the belly to the tail. This gives him an elegant swimming style.

This knifefish species has no scales. Because of this, this fish is very sensitive to water conditions and infections as it lacks the added protection provided by the scales.

Black Ghost Knifefish can both emit and receive electrical signals. The current is generated by an organ in the tail. These cells sit on the skin of the fish and are used for both communication and electrolocation.

This electrogenesis is interesting when looking at gender differences. Although there is no apparent dimorphism between the two sexes, females have been found to emit higher frequencies than males.

Habitat and tank conditions

The black ghost knifefish is found throughout the Amazon and its tributaries, from Venezuela and Paraguay down to the freshwater basins of Peru.

These bodies of water are teeming with vegetation with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide. The water is usually fairly murky with poor lighting and moderate water currents.

The water would also be warm with a fairly neutral pH.

The substrate underneath would be soft sand that wouldn’t scratch, which is important as they are scale free.

These tropical freshwater habitats are home to a variety of insects, providing the black ghost knifefish with plenty of insect larvae to feed on.

A captive black ghost knifefish needs an environment that is as similar to its natural environment as possible. This is easy to do, we describe how to do it below.

tank setup

Since they are quite shy fish, they appreciate a tank with many hiding places. Smooth stones and plants are a must for them in your aquarium.

Remember this is a scaleless fish so provide a fine substrate to avoid injury – use sand or a very fine gravel mix. The tank should have dim lighting with a strong to moderate water flow.

Because the water in their natural environment is quite murky, they are tolerant of a range of water conditions. However, the best water parameters for your fish to settle easily are a temperature of 23.0-25.0 °C, a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and a hardness of 5-19 dGH.

Black ghost knifefish are freshwater species and do not tolerate brackish water.

Some hobbyists find their fish hidden in the canister filter or hose. Make sure to use pre-filters or cover open inlet pipes when setting up the tank to avoid surprises.

Since these are scaleless fish that are prone to infection, a UV sterilizer is a good purchase to avoid complications as it will help keep the water disease-free.

What size aquarium do you need?

Black Ghost Knifefish are large fish and require a large aquarium, at least 100 gallons.

How many can be stored per gallon?

This is not an aggressive species towards other tankmates like peaceful cichlids, however it does become very aggressive when sharing small spaces with the same or similar species.

If you choose to keep these fish together, you must allow at least 80 gallons per fish.

tankmates

Although considered a semi-aggressive fish, they are perfect for a community aquarium.

The ideal community for this fish is other peaceful fish of a similar size, such as peaceful cichlids or catfish.

Black ghost knifefish become aggressive when confined to small spaces and lacking sufficient hiding places.

They also get quite boisterous when kept with conspecifics or similar conspecifics.

Make sure any tankmates you add are at least 6 inches tall and fairly peaceful.

The perfect community can be created with peaceful catfish, angelfish, large peaceful cichlids, discus and corydoras.

Corydoras make great companions as they also help keep the aquarium clean.

Of course, tankmates must also have similar preferences when it comes to water conditions. This rules out species like goldfish that prefer cooler waters.

As your Black Ghost Knifefish grows, you may be able to keep them with smaller fish such as tetras, guppies, barbel, and rasboras.

Small crustaceans and snails (like shrimp and snails) do not mix well as they make perfect food for your Black Ghost. They are likely to be eaten during the night hours.

Don’t keep these fish with other aggressive fish or fish small enough to be considered food.

Keep Black Ghost Knifefish together

Keeping Black Ghost Knifefish together is not the best idea unless you can provide a tank large enough for them to establish and develop their own territory.

Care

Black Ghost Knifefish are recommended for more experienced aquarists as they can be difficult to keep.

This fish has no scales and is very sensitive to diseases and chemicals in the water. For this reason, you might want to consider investing in a UV sterilizer.

One thing to keep in mind for this fish is to never use copper based medicines as they are very toxic to them.

Knifefish are susceptible to skin flukes such as Ich disease. Your fish will start to itch and rub themselves in the tank, but with the right treatment, they should heal quickly. Raise the temperature up to 86°F if you detect an infection. Higher temperatures disrupt the parasite’s life cycle, preventing it from reproducing and growing.

They are commercially bred in Indonesia, which is great for South America’s wild populations.

Pay attention to the size when buying. If you are offered an individual taller than 5 inches, they are likely from the wild.

When an individual originates from the wild, it can carry parasites and disease. Be sure to quarantine them to ensure no unwanted organisms enter your pristine aquarium.

diet

Black Ghost Knifefish are a carnivorous species. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, juvenile and small fish, and worms.

This will not change much in your tank and they should be fed fresh or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brine shrimp or sciarid worms.

Other alternatives include Tubifex worms, krill, shrimp, or crickets. You can also try feeding them pellets or flakes, but it may take a while for them to get used to it.

They avoid dry food.

A varied and balanced diet is important so that your fish receive the right vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system.

They should be fed an amount of food daily that they can eat in a few minutes. They are nocturnal animals and should be fed in the evening or at night.

At first, they may have trouble feeding themselves. Black ghosts are quite shy and take a while to come out of hiding.

Some hobbyists also managed to feed their pets with their own hands. This might be something you want to try, but you have to be patient. It may take a while to train your fish, but it will be very rewarding.

breed

Black ghost knifefish are not typically bred in aquariums. While some hobbyists claim they have managed to breed them, the methods are sometimes controversial.

Some specialized commercial fisheries in Indonesia have managed to breed them. However, they are quite tight-lipped about their success so this still remains a mystery.

The most common factors promoting breeding are:

Large tanks (100 gallons minimum)

Densely planted aquarium

Lots of hiding spots

Flooding and emptying the tank

Egg laying takes place in a cave or similar protected area. The eggs are yellow and about 0.08 inch in diameter; They usually take 3 days to hatch.

The parents should be separated from the eggs after oviposition. In the wild, it is common for the parents to eat the eggs; They don’t seem to have strong parenting instincts.

Once the fry are released they must be fed a variety of small foods. This can be infusoria, Artemia babies and/or crushed flake food.

Most aquarists do not get to the stage of rearing Black Ghost Knifefish Fry. If you make it, be sure to share your story to help and shed light on others.

summary

Black Ghost Knifefish are very popular, they have an intriguing swimming style and can be very friendly once they have settled into the aquarium.

Similar to most eels, Knifefish have an electrosensory system used for location detection and communication.

As they are very susceptible to disease and can be a bit picky about food, it is advisable to gain some experience before keeping these fish.

This is a nocturnal fish and will be most active at night. They are carnivores and feed mainly on worms, brine shrimp and insects.

Over the years, aquarists have successfully trained their knifefish to eat out of their own hands – if you’re willing to devote some time to this adventure, you might be able to get them to eat out of your hands too!

Have you ever held a Black Ghost Knifefish? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…

The bichir is an amazing and unique freshwater fish that will add a very prehistoric feel to your aquarium.

In fact, they are one of our favorite freshwater fish you can get your hands on. Period.

There are also a few different types you can get, all with different colors and patterns. You have many options!

But if you’re interested in getting one of these ancient looking fish, you need to know how to keep them happy and healthy. That’s where this guide comes in.

Below is everything you need to know about caring for bichir and this fish in general. Tank size, nutrition, tankmates and more. It’s all there!

Summary of Species

Bichir (Polypterus bichir) are tropical freshwater fish that have been around for a VERY long time. They form the family Polypteridae and are found mainly in Northeast Africa throughout the Nile and associated tributaries.

Bichirs prefer shallow, swampy waters and can also thrive in semi-brackish water. Their physique makes them suitable for this type of habitat, which is partly why they have remained unchanged for so long.

Because of the murky waters they come from, these fish have very poor eyesight. There just isn’t enough sight to use good sight!

Instead, Bihire use their other senses to navigate and find food. They have a good sense of smell and can also sense electricity in water. They have Lorenzini ampoules, small organs that can pick up electricity from other animals in the water. As you can imagine, this is very useful!

Bichirs are an interesting fish because they have a pair of lungs and need access to the surface to get oxygen. One of the main reasons for this is that the waters they come from are usually so swampy and dirty that breathing becomes a challenge. This design solves all of that.

Bichir lungs are slightly different than the lungs of other fish such as pygmy gourami. A Bihir’s lungs are a sac rather than a mass of tissue. There doesn’t seem to be much advantage over the other, it’s just the way they evolved.

These fish are also very difficult to sex. This creates a lot of uncertainty during the buying process, but unless you’re attempting to breed them, it shouldn’t matter too much.

life span

The average lifespan of Bihiren is usually 10-15 years in captivity. However, it is not impossible that with perfect care (and good genetics) they will live to be 20 years old.

The life expectancy of these fish can be significantly affected by the conditions in which they live. If you are an attentive owner who will do whatever it takes to help them thrive, they will be with you for quite a long time.

Looks

The general appearance of Bichiren is very old and prehistoric. These ray-finned fish have been around in one form or another for millions of years and have changed little in that time.

They look like a cross between a snake and an eel and can grow quite long. On the top of their back they have a set of spiny dorsal fins.

These dorsal fins continue into their tail, which fans out into a wide surface. This is where Bichir create most of their dynamic.

Her body is quite scaly, which really adds to her overall reptilian look. These cover most of their body except for a small patch on the underside of their head.

Bichir have two large pectoral fins which they rely heavily on for mobility when swimming. You can also swing these fins so that they are parallel to the substrate and use them to crawl around.

At the front of their head, you’ll see they have two small tentacle-like extensions of their noses that make it easier for them to smell and navigate in low-visibility water.

Types of Bichirs

There are some popular species of bichirs that you will see in aquariums around the world. Each type has a different color and often a body length not shared by other Bihiren.

Dinosaur Bichir

The dinosaur bichir (aka Senegal bichir) is one of the most popular species you can find. They are mostly gray and usually not as large as most other types of bichirs.

In some cases, they come in a lighter gray (almost white) and even pink and blue. Their bodies are pretty much the classic bichir form, and they don’t have any special features that deviate from it.

Albino Bichir

The albino bichir is essentially a dinosaur bichir, but white with red eyes. Everything else is exactly the same except for the color. This is a highly desirable species of bichir (like most albino fish).

Ornate Bichir

This is one of our favourites. The Ornate Bihir is a very large and interesting looking fish. They can grow up to two feet in length and have a neat yellow base color on their bodies. Scattered across the yellow are black spots that move closer together on their spiny dorsal fins.

Saddled Bichir

The Sattelbichir (Polypterus finiteri) is massive. These fish can grow to two and a half feet in length, making them undoubtedly the largest species of bichir. They are light yellow with some black/dark gray stripes also covering their body.

Another feature of the finite bichir is their protruding lower jaw. It’s not very noticeable, but it’s definitely noticeable if you look closely.

Delhezi Bichir

The Delhezi bichir has the typical shape and size of other bichirs. The biggest feature that sets this type apart is their interesting color patterns. They are mainly gray with yellow and green spots and some short black stripes.

size

The average size of bichir fish is between 1 and 2.5 feet in length. This wide range is primarily determined by the type of bichir you receive. Other factors such as grooming and genetics influence this as well.

Bichir care

Bichir isn’t particularly difficult to care for, but there are a few things you need to be aware of. On the plus side, these are hardy fish. There is a fairly generous range of water parameters that any reasonably experienced aquarist should be able to maintain.

On the other hand, there are behavioral and dietary considerations that make them a bit more time-consuming. All in all, we think this balances out to make Bichir care moderate in terms of difficulty. If you really want one, you should be able to handle it if you follow our recommendations below!

tank size

The recommended minimum tank size for these fish is about 90 gallons for one. The size of these fish and their activity level mean they need plenty of space to swim and be comfortable.

There are many owners who have kept Bichir in tanks as small as 40 gallons, but we disagree with that approach. Although they might survive, we always recommend giving your fish the optimal habitat to keep them happy and healthy.

water parameters

Bichir are fairly hardy and can survive in a fairly wide range of water parameters. That being said, there is a recommended window of time to aim for if you want them to be as healthy as possible.

Water Temperature: 74°F to 82°F

74°F to 82°F pH levels: 6.2 to 7.8

6.2 to 7.8 Water Hardness: Soft

Soft KH: 5-20 dKH

Although Bichir can get their oxygen from the surface, you should always do regular water changes and monitor levels in your aquarium with a test kit. Doing this consistently will ensure they live long, healthy lives.

What to put in their tank

One of the nice things about bichir is that they pair well with a variety of habitat decor. You can add plants, driftwood, or caves and they don’t mind, one way or the other.

You can also keep them in a more sparse tank. These fish are not picky!

The only thing to think about when setting up your tank is the right substrate. We recommend a sandy substrate for Bichir. It’s what they’re used to, and it’s safe and comfortable for them (they’re bottom feeders, after all).

Gravel substrate can be too rough on their bellies, and there have even been reports of bichir accidentally eating it when foraging for food. Get sand and you’ll never have to worry about that happening.

Common possible diseases

There are no Bichir specific diseases to worry about. Instead, you must be wary of the standard offenders like me.

The good thing is that good bichir care and keeping the water and tank in great condition will greatly reduce the chances of your fish getting sick. Prevention is always much easier and more reliable than having to treat a disease or infection later.

Be consistent with water changes and always monitor your fish so you can notice any abnormal behavior. Quick action and dealing with unusual things characterize a good owner.

Food & Nutrition

Because bichirs are carnivores, you need to make sure they get enough protein-rich foods in their diet to stay healthy. They also feed at night, which is another consideration that sets them a little apart from many popular freshwater fish.

Due to their nocturnal nature, you should time their feedings appropriately. At night or early morning before the lights are off is a good choice. Trying to program a fish away from its natural feeding behavior is an uphill battle. It’s better to work with them!

In terms of their actual diet, caring for bichirs can get a bit trickier than other fish. You should not rely on pellets or flakes and instead feed them a mix of high protein live, dry and frozen food. This will enrich them and activate their predatory instincts, which are great fun to watch!

This might be a bit more time consuming than what you are used to, but it is what you need. Some of the best options for these fish are:

bloodworms

weather loaches

shrimp

Moth

ox heart

Author’s Note: Pellets can still be used to supplement their diet. They just shouldn’t make it their main food source.

Behavior & Temperament

One of the most important things to consider when grooming Bichir is their temperament. While we wouldn’t consider them very aggressive, they definitely have aggressive tendencies that you need to deal with.

When you combine this with the fact that they are carnivores it can cause some problems with other fish in their tank. Anything their size or smaller could be considered a target for your Bichir (we cover tankmate details in the section below).

Aside from their temperament, their general demeanor is quite active. These fish are bottom dwellers but regularly visit the surface for air. This makes them a fun creature because you’ll often see them in motion.

Bichirs are nocturnal, so much of their activity occurs at night. This will increase even more at feeding time (assuming you feed them at night).

Bichir tankmates

Finding compatible Bihir tankmates is all about managing size and aggression potential. As we have said before, these fish can be aggressive and are carnivores by nature.

This means that any species that is large or smaller is probably not a good idea. They could be picked or even eaten!

Fish that are slightly larger make much better bichir tankmates because they are not mistaken for food and are too large to be bullied. Some examples of this are:

You should also ensure that their aquarium mates allow enough food to reach the bottom of the tank. A bichir in this case can easily become malnourished, which can lead to health problems or increased aggression.

Author’s Note: You can also keep more than one Bichir in the same tank. While this isn’t done very often (not sure why) they should get along just fine as long as you increase their tank size to accommodate the extra fish!

breed

There is not much information on how to successfully breed bichirs. The process has not been done much in general in home aquariums and the amount of data we have is limited.

Each species of bichir requires slightly different tank and water conditions to breed, but again, this is not well understood. That just means you might need to do some experimenting if you want to pursue this!

Most breed information that you can find tends to pertain to the Senegal Bichir. These bichirs respond well to cooler water as a breeding trigger and appear to have a higher success rate than other species.

A combination of soft but slightly acidic water is also recommended. You should also increase your protein intake a bit.

The male will pursue the female and gently butt her head. This advertising process may take a day or two. If successful, the female will look for a place to lay her eggs (they prefer bushy plants).

After the fertilization process is complete, you should remove the parent fish from the tank and start feeding the fry when they are ready. Common food options like Artemia and microworms are good choices to encourage growth.

Conclusion

Owning a Bichir is incredibly fun and rewarding. These living fossils are a delight to watch and you will often marvel at their prehistoric appearance!

They’re also relatively active fish, which can be a nice change of pace compared to other bottom feeders. Last but not least, you’ll often witness them visiting the surface to get oxygen.

Bichir grooming is also fairly straightforward. Just keep them in the right type of habitat, monitor the water consistently, and don’t mate them with the wrong aquarium mates.

Their neat appearance and manageable maintenance make them our favorite freshwater fish. We’ve been recommending them for years and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon!

If you’re a Bichir owner and would like to weigh in on these fish (or tricks that have worked for you), we’d love to hear from you. Help us make this guide even better!

One of the coolest fish for your aquarium by far is the Black Ghost Knife Fish. It’s a large, elegant and fairly friendly fish that likes to sit in its owner’s hands while eating. This is a very fancy tropical fish that requires a decent amount of knowledge and skill to care for.

Although they require quite a bit of maintenance, people seem to love them for one reason or another. Let’s not waste any more time and talk about everything there is to know about the Black Ghost Knife Fish.

If you have a knifefish or are planning to get one, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to keep the Black Ghost Knife Fish healthy and happy.

General information

The black ghost knifefish is also known by its scientific name, Apteronotus albifrons. They are one of the most popular species of knifefish, having been imported to North America and Europe as pets for almost 100 years.

They are native to the tropical regions of South America, particularly in places bordering the Amazon, such as Brazil. You can easily distinguish the Black Ghost Knife Fish from other knifefish because it has a black and white banded area on the caudal region of its body.

The Black Ghost Knife Fish also typically has a shorter snout than other types of knifefish. This is a large and very beautiful looking fish that most people keep for its great aesthetic.

They also have a long wavy fin that allows them to propel themselves both forward and backward through the water. This fish likes to live in fast-flowing, sandy-bottomed rivers and migrate to flooded forests during the breeding season.

They like to live in areas with lots of vegetation, rocks and other natural hiding places. Interestingly, the Black Ghost Knife Fish has terrible vision and is also nocturnal, so it doesn’t really use its eyes.

To orientate its surroundings and find food, the black ghost knifefish uses a special organ that creates an electric field around it, which then helps the black ghost knifefish position itself and sense movement around it. It’s like a low-voltage navigation and prey-finding system, almost like a kind of radar or even the sonar that whales use.

Black Ghost Knife Aquarium Size

As you will see later, these fish get pretty big and need quite a bit of space. A single Black Ghost Knife Fish requires a tank that is at least 100 gallons or 379 liters.

Each additional black fish takes up another 100 gallons of space.

So remember, these guys are big, they need a lot of space, and that means they need a lot of maintenance too.

They love to swim around and are quite active, so having enough space for them is essential to their happiness and survival.

How Big Do Black Ghost Knifefish Get?

The Black Ghost Knife Fish is quite a sizeable fish in terms of size. On average, these fish can grow up to 20 inches, and in some cases they can even grow to 25 inches.

They are also quite thick, reaching up to 3 inches in width. As you can see, this is a fairly large fish so you need to give it adequate space.

Ideal Black Ghost Knife fish temperature

The black ghost knifefish is not a coldwater fish, but more or less a tropical fish species.

This fish requires a water temperature of around 73.0 to 82.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 22.8 to 27.8 degrees Celsius. In all likelihood, this means you need a water heater for your Black Ghost Knife Fish.

Anything colder than 73.0 degrees Fahrenheit will cause your fish to be too cold, sluggish, lose their appetite, and worse.

Anything below the minimum temperature or above the maximum temperature is not good for the Black Ghost Knife Fish. So make sure you have a kettle and a thermometer to keep a close eye on the temperature of the water.

Feeding: Black Ghost Knife Fish Diet

The Black Ghost Knife Fish is strictly a carnivore, so you don’t have to worry about it eating the plants in your aquarium, but it won’t remove algae either.

This fish likes to eat a lot of meat and due to its size, it likes to eat a reasonable amount of food. The black knifefish is a nocturnal fish, so they only come out to feed at night.

Also, these fish can be a bit shy and if they are not yet acclimated to their new home, they may hide during the nightly feeding and wait until you have gone to eat.

However, once this fish has acclimated to its home, it should come out of hiding at feeding time. Some owners have even trained their fish to eat right out of your hand, which is pretty impressive.

What Do Black Ghost Knifefish Eat?

In terms of what to feed your Black Ghost Knife Fish, do not feed them flake foods or pellets as they will not have the nutrients they need.

To be fair, some pellets will work on this fish, but you need to be careful about the type of pellet.

They must be pellets for carnivorous fish and must not contain any plant parts.

In terms of feeding, you should give your Black Ghost Knife Fish foods such as insect larvae, adult insects, worms, small shrimp and other small fish.

If you notice that your Black Ghost Knife Fish is skittish, offer several meals a day to lure it out of hiding.

You can choose to feed them once or multiple times a day. Just be careful not to overfeed them and only feed them until they stop eating.

ideal environment

One thing to note about the Black Ghost Knife Fish is that they are scaleless fish, meaning they don’t have any scales.

This leaves them without that extra layer of protection and makes them quite vulnerable to changes in water parameters and water conditions.

Filtration & water changes

This means you have to be very vigilant to keep an eye on water conditions or your Black Ghost Knife Fish will not last very long.

They are very sensitive to debris in the water, as well as things like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

The bottom line here is that these fish require weekly water changes where you are changing at least 30% of the water or up to 50%.

This is a must to keep the water clean and clear. With that in mind, you need a really good filter for the Black Ghost Knife Fish, one that can handle more volume than is actually in the tank.

Ideally, you want a powerful 3-stage filter that can clean the water of waste and contaminants. A 3-stage filter with mechanical, biological and chemical filtration is extremely important for the Black Ghost Knife Fish.

You need to make sure you get a really good, powerful, comprehensive filter if you’re hoping to keep these guys alive.

UV sterilizer

Another thing you need is a UV filter. Black ghost knifefish are sensitive to medication and algae build-up, both of which can be solved and treated with a good UV sterilizer (they use UV rays, like those from the sun, to kill algae, bacteria, and other unwanted compounds in the water).

We’ve mentioned drugs because they’re sensitive to them and don’t do well with things like antibiotics. The best way to keep your fish disease free is to use a UV sterilizer as you will not need to give them any medication if possible.

The substrate

These fish need a sand-gravel mixture as a substrate, preferably a fine sandy gravel bottom that is not too large.

Remember that the Black Ghost Knife Fish doesn’t have any scales, so you can’t have anything too rough in the bottom or the Black Ghost Knife Fish could injure itself on the substrate.

They like to spend time on the ground and often rest on it, so it needs to be fairly soft and non-abrasive.

Environment – ​​Decorations & Plants

Another thing you will want to provide your Black Ghost Knife Fish with is plenty of plants, wood, rocks, burrows and other hiding spots.

These fish are quite timid and timid, so they are most comfortable when they have a good hiding spot.

There is also the fact that they are nocturnal so they like to hide and sleep during the day which means they have a good den or hollow log to hang out in.

What some people do is get some sort of see-through tube as it makes the fish feel safe and you can see them at the same time. The point is that you need to provide your fish with plenty of good hiding places.

Again, remember that the Black Ghost Knife Fish has no scales, so be careful not to get anything remotely sharp or your fish could get injured.

As a side note, these fish like moderate to strong water currents, so you’ll need a water pump to provide them with that current. They like to exercise, so that’s pretty important.

lighting

One thing that makes the Black Ghost Knife Fish easy to have in your home is that it only requires low to dim lighting.

Being nocturnal fish, they are used to being in the dark as they are active at night. These fish sleep during the day, so you don’t need big or bright lights.

Dim lighting for daytime is perfect, or even no lighting at all when trying to sleep. The black ghost knifefish needs some low light at most at night but not for it to see as as we discussed earlier it has poor vision and relies on other methods to find its food and see its surroundings.

water parameters

One thing about the Black Ghost Knife Fish that is quite handy is that it is quite versatile in terms of the water parameters required.

First of all, the black ghost knifefish can handle a water pH between 6.0 and 8.0, which means it can live in both slightly alkaline and slightly acidic water.

You should get a pH test kit and water conditioners to correct the pH if it falls below or above 6.0 and 8.0 respectively.

The Black Ghost Knife Fish is also quite versatile when it comes to water hardness. It is suitable for water hardness between 5 and 19 dGH.

As long as you have the appropriate test kits, you will have no trouble keeping the Black Ghost Knife Fish alive and well.

It should be emphasized that the Black Ghost Knife Fish is a freshwater fish and cannot tolerate salinity, even brackish water would be too saline.

Black Ghost Knife Fish Tank Mates

While the Black Ghost Knife Fish gets along well with most other fish, you should not keep it with fish small enough to fit in its mouth as it will most likely eat it.

If you keep them with other aggressive larger fish make sure there is enough space as they can get into fights. The Black Ghost Knife Fish is best kept with smaller fish (but not too small) and with larger fish that are very peaceful.

Regarding snails, shrimp, and other crustaceans, the Black Ghost Knife Fish will likely eat them if they are small enough to eat.

Are Black Ghost Knifefish Aggressive?

The Black Ghost Knife Fish is a fairly peaceful and non-aggressive fish, so you won’t need to worry too much about keeping them in a community tank.

We must stress that we say “fairly” peaceful as they can become aggressive with smaller fish they see for food, and they can become somewhat aggressive with other bred Black Ghost Knife Fish.

If you keep Black Ghost Knife Fish in pairs or groups, make sure you have a sufficiently sized tank as they will become aggressive towards each other if they do not have enough space as they can be a little territorial.

Diseases

The Black Ghost Knife Fish is a fairly hardy and resilient fish as it does not typically get sick, especially in a well maintained aquarium, but it can still get sick.

This is because they don’t have scales. So if there is bacteria in the water, there is a good chance that the black ghost knifefish will get sick. Always ensure you quarantine new fish before adding them and ensure all plants and decorations have been properly cared for before adding them to your Black Ghost Knife aquarium.

A calm fish with a good environment, a balanced diet, and a Black Ghost Knife Fish that has everything it needs is not very susceptible to disease.

These fish are usually very quick to show the early warning signs of most diseases, making them relatively easy to treat.

They also respond fairly well to medication, making them fairly easy to treat. This fish can get several diseases, including:

Common Diseases of Black Ghost Knifefish: Ick.

ick skin flukes.

skin flukes. Parasitic Infections.

Parasitic Infections. parasitic infestation.

parasitic infestation. bacterial diseases.

bacterial diseases. Bacterial Infections.

Aside from the diseases listed here, the black ghost knifefish is not overly prone to life-threatening conditions.

frequently asked Questions

Are black ghost knifefish bottom feeders?

For the most part yes, ghost knifefish tend to be bottom feeders. They can be a bit shy and tired of pretty much anything and everything and usually only come out at night.

They also try to stay close to substrate or foliage. Now, not only are they bottom feeders, but they are for the most part.

They can swim a bit in the water column if there are plants covering them and offering some privacy, but that’s pretty rare.

Do black ghost knifefish need an air pump?

Yes, black ghost knifefish need an air pump. These fish consume a lot of oxygen from the water, and aeration and oxygenation of the water is very important for these fish.

Even a small black ghost knife aquarium should have at least one air pump and air stone, and they should be of very high quality and capable of producing large amounts of oxygen.

Without an air stone and air pump, you’re likely to see your black ghost knifefish gasping for air at the top of the water (we’ve reviewed air pumps here).

How long does it take for a black ghost knifefish to grow?

In terms of size, a black ghost knifefish grows to around 60 cm or 24 inches in length. If you take good care of this creature, it should grow to its full size in about 2 years, more or less a few months.

The better you take care of it, the faster it will grow and the bigger it will be.

Do black ghost knifefish eat shrimp?

Black ghost knifefish are heavy carnivores and voracious eaters, not to mention quite aggressive, and yes, they have quite a large appetite.

These fish will mostly eat anything they can put their mouths around and sink their teeth into, and this includes many species of shrimp.

They may not be trying to eat very large shrimp, but other than that, everything else seems fair game.

Is a knife a blind fish?

No, black ghost knife shrimp aren’t totally blind, but they don’t see very well either. Their eyesight is not particularly well developed, as they typically have no real use for it in the wild.

They often live in burrows and confined spaces during the day and usually only come out at night to feed.

Since they never had much need for good eyesight, therefore, it did not develop. However, they have great smell, hearing and can sense vibrations in the water.

Do knifefish have teeth?

No, black ghost knifefish don’t actually have teeth.

These are toothless fish, and like other toothless fish, or even like many birds, they have large, sharp, and powerful beaks, which they use to kill and crush their prey.

Do Black Ghost Knifefish Eat Guppies?

Yes, the chances are good. Well, that’s not a sure thing as it depends on the particular black ghost knifefish, but they have been known to eat smaller fish like guppies, tetras, small goldfish, and other small prey that they can easily catch and fit in their mouths.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Black Ghost Knife Fish requires a fair amount of maintenance. This isn’t a type of fish you get if you’ve never eaten any other fish before. You will need lots of supplies, a big tank and lots of food.

So they are great fish, they are quite friendly, not too difficult to care for and they look amazing too. As long as you follow all of the tips and guidelines listed above, you will have no trouble keeping your Black Ghost Knife Fish healthy and happy.

Featured image: Pavaphon Supanantananont, Shutterstock

Knifefish are among the most interesting freshwater aquarium fish. Their unique “knife blade” body shape and ability to swim backwards with their curled lower fin make them intriguing additions to suitable aquarium communities. Knifefish can be divided into two main groups: The largest group belongs to the order Gymnotiformes and is found in Central and South America. These include ghost knives, band knives, and glass knives. A smaller group, in the family Notopteridae, is native to Southeast Asia and Africa and includes featherfin, African, and clown knives. Most knifefish have the ability to generate and receive electrical discharges, which they use for navigation, communication, and finding prey. Knifefish are not for novice aquarists due to their specialized dietary requirements and, in some cases, their large adult size.

Knifefish occupy a variety of habitats in the wild, including lakes and large rivers. Several species migrate to flooded forests during the rainy season to breed. While most species inhabit calm waters with lush vegetation, glass knives prefer deep river channels with strong currents. Most species are freshwater fish only, but some knifefish, such as the featherfin, spend brief periods in brackish water.

Knifefish need water

Knifefish are scaleless and extremely sensitive to poor water conditions. Water quality should be pristine, with undetectable ammonia and nitrites and nitrates below 20 ppm. The pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0 with an alkalinity between 5° and 10° (90 ppm to 180 ppm). The temperature should be kept between 75° and 80°F. If the aquarium is kept below 75°C indoors, use an Aqueon Aquarium Heater to maintain the correct temperature. Knifefish are sensitive to many medications, so using a UV sterilizer is recommended to prevent disease rather than having to resort to chemicals after an outbreak. Maintain good filtration and change 10% of the water every week or 25% of the water every 2 weeks with an Aqueon aquarium water changer or siphon vacuum gravel cleaner. Don’t forget to treat tap water with Aqueon Water Conditioner before refilling your aquarium!

Housing requirements for knifefish

Because some knifefish grow relatively large and most live long lives, you should plan accordingly when purchasing. Ghost knives, feather fin knives, and African knives reach lengths of 8″ to 12″, requiring a minimum 55 gallon aquarium when fully grown. Banded knives require a minimum of 100 gallons and adult clown knives require a 200 gallon aquarium or larger. Aba Aba knives reach lengths in excess of 5 feet in the wild and are not suitable for home aquarists. Plenty of cover in the form of tall plants and driftwood, as well as caves and grottos, should be available to keep knifefish safe. In addition, there should be sufficient open space for swimming. Ghost knives are well suited to life in planted aquariums due to their calm, peaceful nature. When storing large knives, use artificial plants with weighted feet to prevent them from being uprooted. Lighting should be dimmed to encourage them to come out during the day and a secure cover should be used to keep them from jumping out of the aquarium.

Knifefish Behavior/Compatibility

Most knifefish are nocturnal and tend to be shy, especially when first introduced to an aquarium. As they settle into their new home, they often become more outgoing during the day, especially around feeding time. They tend to be territorial and can be aggressive towards each other or closely related species, so they are best kept in an aquarium with other peaceful fish that are too big to eat. This is especially important with clown knives, which not only get extremely large but are also very predatory. Depending on the knifefish species you keep, a few compatible fish include silver bucks, tinfoil barbs, angelfish, large cichlids, larger gouramis, and synodontis catfish. Always consult an aquarium expert before purchasing any new fish for your aquarium.

What do knifefish eat?

The majority of knifefish are specialized forage fish, with a number of species foraging the bottom at night in search of crustaceans, worms, insects and small fish. Clown knives, African knives and feather fin knives are active predators and will eagerly swallow any fish that can fit in their mouths! It is best to try to acclimatize knifefish to pellets and other dry foods as soon as possible, but many will show a preference for frozen or even live foods, despite the aquarist’s best efforts. Avoid using feeder goldfish or livebearers as they can transmit disease and are not nutritionally suitable. Aqueon Tropical GranulatBetta TreatShrimp Pellets and Cichlid Pellets are good choices for small to medium sized knifefish, while Monster Fish Medley feeds to larger species such as clowns can be African and feather fin knives. Small amounts of food can be fed after the aquarium lights are turned off to accommodate their nocturnal feeding behavior. Remove uneaten food in the morning to avoid water quality problems. For best results, rotate their diet daily and only feed what they can consume in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day.

Knifefish farming – intermediate level

Knifefish farming by private aquarists is rare, although several species are farmed commercially.

New findings could improve cochlear and retinal implants.

Charles Q. Choi, contributor

(Inside Science) – Ghost knifefish use electricity as their sixth sense. Now scientists studying tropical jungle currents have uncovered secrets about how these fish use electrical signals to communicate in the wild. This work could shed light on how nervous systems in general process weak, ambiguous sensory data, which could help improve the design of bionic devices that interact with the nervous system.

Ghost knifefish generate electricity using a specialized tail organ derived from neurons in the spinal cord. Unlike their relative, the electric eel, these freshwater fish are only slightly electrical and don’t generate enough charge to stun or kill them. Instead, these Latin American fish generate electrical impulses to communicate with each other, creating electrical fields around their bodies to scan their surroundings in the dark.

Scientists have been studying ghost knifefish in laboratories for decades. “Many scientists interested in cracking the code of what happens to sensory signals in the vertebrate brain work on electric fish,” said bioengineer Malcolm MacIver of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. “Many brain structures in fish are conserved in mammals because evolution doesn’t like to invent new things. So once you understand them in these weird, amazing fish, you understand a lot about how they work in mammals.”

“However, we still know next to nothing about the secret life of these fish in their natural habitats,” said Jan Benda, a neuroethologist at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen in Germany. To study ghost knifefish in their home waters, Benda and his colleagues first drove to the end of the Panamericana in Yaviza, Panama, near the Colombian border. Next, they took a boat 40 minutes upstream of the Chucunaque, the longest river in Panama, and walked 2 kilometers into the jungle to reach their destination, a narrow creek.

Electric fish “are really difficult to observe visually,” Benda said. “They are nocturnal and like to hide between rocks or in masses of roots.”

To analyze ghost knifefish, the study’s lead author, Jörg Henninger, also at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, instead lowered a nearly 4-square-meter grid into a stream with up to 64 electrodes to detect the fish’s electrical signals with a magnitude of each to detect 1 millivolt or less.

Scientists focused on the brown ghost knifefish (Apteronotus rostratus). Previous work found that each fish’s electric field had a specific frequency, like a fingerprint, and that males had higher frequencies than females. From the strength of each fish’s signal, the researchers were also able to estimate its position and movements.

Working in the tropical jungle was a challenge. For example, flooding from distant thunderstorms could raise the water level more than a meter in an hour and turn the creek the scientists were working in “into a stream of muddy water,” Benda recalled. “In an event like this, we lost the entire grid. It took us three hours to realize that nothing was hanging on the wires.”

Despite these difficulties, the researchers were able to successfully demonstrate electrical interactions between these fish that had never before been observed in the laboratory. “This is groundbreaking work. It sheds light on an entire electric civilization floating underwater in Central America,” said MacIver, who was not involved in this research. “We’ve known for a long time that these electric fish use electric fields to communicate with each other, but this is the first time a network of underwater sensors has captured social interactions in the wild.”

For example, the scientists discovered 54 courtship episodes with up to 8,400 electrical “chirps” emitted per fish per night. These were usually pairs of males and females, humming short chirps until a female gave a long chirp. The male then followed with a doublet of small chirps, and the female ended with a few small chirps of her own. This courtship behavior apparently helped males and females synchronize the release of eggs and sperm into the water.

Many of the electrical signals recorded during courtship, spawning, and aggression were much weaker or had higher frequencies than expected. The researchers suggested that one reason these fish communicated differently in the wild was the limited space in laboratory tanks.

“Because the fish cannot escape in these situations, they give off frequent and continuous signals of submission,” says Benda. “In the wild, aggressive encounters quickly end with a fish leaving the area. Very few submissive signals are sent by the retreating fish.”

In addition, lab experiments, which are usually limited to a few minutes or hours, fall short of this type of advertising, Benda said. They later discovered such behavior in the lab of study co-author Frank Kirschbaum at Humboldt University in Berlin, “after continuously recording six fish in a tank for three months,” Benda added.

Researchers had previously recorded signals from ghost knifefish in the wild, but continuously capturing the signals — 500 gigabytes of data per day — required hard drive storage capacity that wasn’t previously available, Benda said.

Further research examining the neural mechanisms the fish use to detect such small signals could shed light on how the knifefish and other animals detect and successfully classify faint, ambiguous signals, Benda said. This knowledge could prove important when developing bionic devices that interact with the nervous system, such as cochlear or retinal implants, Benda added.

Additional surveys could include even larger grids and longer records. “The basic mechanisms of communication in the nervous system are still shrouded in mystery,” MacIver said. “These fish provide a really nice model that can provide insight into these circuits.”

The researchers presented their findings online May 7 in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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The Black Ghost Knifefish is an unusual creature that can make a stunning focal point in any tropical freshwater aquarium. The species has been in the hobby for many decades and has gained a large following thanks to its elegant, unusual appearance and interesting behavior.

In this guide we will introduce you to the Black Spirit and give you a detailed and comprehensive guide to caring for the species.

These fish can be difficult to keep and are therefore not recommended for beginners.

What is a black ghost knifefish?

The black ghost knifefish, scientific name Apteronotus albifrons, belongs to the ghost knifefish family Apteronotidae, also commonly known as the black ghost.

The species is native to tropical freshwater habitats in South America, particularly from Venezuela to the Paraguay Paraná River and the Amazon Basin.

Ghost knifefish got their name thanks to the belief of some Amazonian tribes that the souls of their dead relatives reside within these fish. While there is no hard evidence to back this story, it’s a great story to tell to visitors who admire your fish!

habitat

The Black Spirit inhabits fast-flowing rivers with sandy bottoms and migrates to flooded forests during the rainy season. The species prefers heavily planted areas with many hiding places.

Consequently, the fish’s natural environment is rather dark and they have poor eyesight. Because of this, the Black Ghost Knifefish evolved with the unusual ability to generate low-voltage electricity, forming a sort of built-in radar system that helps the fish navigate the murky waters it inhabits. This novel ability is also used for hunting and communicating with other knifefish.

The black ghost knifefish is nocturnal and preys on worms, crustaceans, small fish, insects and insect larvae.

Looks

The Black Ghost grows to a considerable size, reaching up to 20 inches in length.

The body of the fish is elongated and flat, tapering to a very thin stalk. On the underside of the fish is a long, continuous fin formed by the junction of the anal and caudal fins. This unusual fin waves when the fish swims, allowing it to move backwards as well as forwards through the water.

The fish has a matte black body, although some specimens may have a white stripe extending from the tip of the fish’s nose and running along its back. There is a wide white collar in front of the caudal fin and another white band just before the tip of the tail.

There are no significant differences in appearance between the two sexes.

These fish have long lifespans of up to 15 years and thrive in captivity given the right diet and water conditions.

potential problems

Knifefish are best kept by aquarists who have some aquarium keeping experience.

Black Ghosts are scaleless fish and therefore more susceptible to disease. Also, the lack of scales can make the fish hypersensitive to many medications, especially those containing copper. Wild-caught specimens often carry parasites that can infect other fish in your collection.

For this reason it is recommended that you have a UV sterilizer in your aquarium. This will help prevent many of the diseases that the Black Ghost Knifefish can be susceptible to.

Note that the species is very sensitive to changes in water conditions, so it’s important that you maintain a stable environment in your tank at all times.

The Black Ghost is a shy fish that may not eat very well when first introduced to the aquarium, leading to problems such as malnutrition. Since these fish are nocturnal, feeding them can become even more of a challenge. So when introducing your new Black Ghost for the first time, you may need to feed him at night while he adjusts to his new surroundings.

Alternatively, if your tank size allows, you can try incorporating a moonlight mood lighting system to mimic a nocturnal environment, allowing you to feed your fish at a more sociable hour.

Care and Maintenance

The Black Ghost Knifefish is not suitable for a beginner as these fish require very stable aquarium conditions and you will need a suitably sized tank if you want to keep one of these giants.

Set up aquariums

The Black Ghost Knifefish can grow up to 20 inches long, so you’ll need a very large aquarium, at least 100 gallons, to house one of these enigmatic creatures.

In addition to the tank size, the knifefish, like all scaleless fish, is extremely sensitive to changes in water conditions. You need a high-quality filter system with a fairly strong current and also weekly partial water changes of 30% to 50%, depending on the biological load in your aquarium. Also, run weekly tests of the water to make sure the ammonia and nitrate levels are not getting too high.

Including a UV sterilizer in your setup will help kill diseases that could be harming your fish.

These fish spend much of their time near the bottom of the aquarium. A mixture of sand and fine gravel is best suited as a substrate and most closely replicates the natural environment of the fish.

Make sure you provide plenty of dense planting all around the tank and also include some driftwood and rocks. The fish do not eat the plants, but like to hide among the leaves during the day.

These fish live in dark, murky conditions, so they prefer subdued lighting if that works for the rest of your collection.

water parameters

The water temperature in the tank must be kept stable in the range of 73.0° to 82.0° Fahrenheit.

The black ghost knifefish prefers a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 with a water hardness of 5 to 19 dGH. Note that these are freshwater fish that do not tolerate brackish water.

This river-dwelling species enjoys a moderate to strong water current.

Diet and Nutrition

The Black Ghost Knifefish is a carnivore.

In their natural environment, the fish come out of their hiding places to hunt once the sun has set. Throughout the night, the fish feed on insects, insect larvae, worms, snails, invertebrates and small fish. Aquarium kept knifefish will eat fresh and frozen meaty foods including bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Generally, the Black Ghost does not eat flake food, although it will sometimes eat carnivore pellets. If you wish, you can include forage fish in the Black Ghost’s diet once it is large enough to eat them.

Once settled into their aquarium house, Black Ghosts become more confident and can venture out to feed during the day. However, having a lighting system with moonlight or dimmed settings can encourage the fish to come out to feed at more favorable times.

These fascinating fish have been known to take food from their owner’s hands and even cradle your hand to eat. It goes without saying that you must keep your hands clean and free of perfume and soap before handling your fish.

Ideally, you should offer your fish multiple feedings each day.

tankmates

The Black Ghost Knifefish can be aggressive towards conspecifics and similar looking fish. However, these fish are so peaceful that they are shy of other species of larger tankmates.

However, it is best not to mix the Black Ghost with invertebrates or very small fish that could easily become lunchtime for an adult Knifefish. Also, you cannot safely house snails or shrimp with Apteronotus albifrons.

breed

Although some hobbyists claim to have successfully bred Black Ghost Knifefish in a home aquarium, there is nothing to back this up at the time of writing.

The species is bred for the aquarium trade by large commercial farms in Indonesia, but the exact method is not known at this time. Ponds are reported to be used for breeding the fish, mainly due to their mature size of up to 20 inches in length. Of course, you would need an extremely large aquarium in which to successfully raise these fish, and that’s just not feasible for most DIYers.

Diseases

Black ghost knifefish are extremely hardy and not generally susceptible to disease in a well maintained aquarium with the right water parameters and habitat setup.

However, these fish lack scales, which can make the knifefish susceptible to some diseases, most notably Ich or white spot disease.

I

Ich is a very common disease that can affect freshwater fish. The disease is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a free-swimming protozoa that attacks diseased or weakened fish. The parasite first manifests as a rash of tiny white spots scattered over the fish’s body, gills, and fins. Affected fish rub and flick at aquarium decorations, plants, and the substrate to get rid of the pesky parasites.

Luckily, ich can be treated fairly effectively by using an over-the-counter product and raising the aquarium temperature to 82 degrees Fahrenheit for four days. This treatment interrupts the parasite’s life cycle and the fish usually recover quickly.

Once Ich is active in the aquarium, there is no point in isolating affected fish. It is better to treat the whole tank as more fish are likely to become infected if the water is not treated to kill the parasite. Once the outbreak is under control, perform a 35% water change and reduce the water temperature to its normal level.

When treating any disease, never use medication containing copper in a tank where you have Black Ghost Knifefish.

other parasites

Knifefish, particularly those caught wild in South America, can be susceptible to protozoal and worm infestations, skin flukes and other common bacterial infections after being struck and injured.

That’s why it’s so important to quarantine your new fish so you can watch for potential problems before introducing them to your tank. At this point it may be helpful to treat the aquarium water with an over-the-counter antibacterial product to kill any unseen diseases the fish may have.

disease prevention

Whatever you add to your setup can potentially bring disease. This includes decorations, plants, substrate and other fish.

Wash everything thoroughly before introducing them into your aquarium, and place new fish in a quarantine tank for at least two weeks before adding them to your main display.

Stress is a big fish killer. So make sure you are providing your Black Ghost with the right water parameters, an environment modeled after its wild habitat, and a correct, balanced diet.

Availability

The Black Ghost is available in well-stocked fish shops or online from specialist shops.

Until recently, all specimens offered for sale were taken from their natural environment and imported, mainly from Brazil. Fortunately, however, the species is now widely farmed in Indonesia, relieving the pressure on wild populations. Note that fish five inches or larger that you offer for sale are usually wild-caught, while smaller specimens are most likely captive-bred imports.

Small specimens can be purchased for around $10 to $20, depending on the size of the fish and where it came from.

FAQ

In this part of our comprehensive guide to keeping this fascinating species, we answer some of the questions most commonly asked by those considering adding one of these enigmatic fish to their collection.

Q: Is the Black Ghost Knife fish aggressive?

A: Black Ghosts are generally peaceful fish, although they can become aggressive towards others of their kind, especially if your tank is too small. You can keep more than one Black Ghost, but you will need a very large aquarium, over 100 gallons, to do so safely.

Q: How big does a Black Ghost Knifefish get?

A: These fish grow to around 20 inches in length.

Q: What kind of fish can you put with a Black Ghost Knifefish?

A: Black Ghosts are generally peaceful fish that get along well with larger species. However, do not put crabs, snails, shrimp or very small fish with Apteronotus albifrons as they will most likely be considered food and eaten.

Q: Do Black Ghost Knifefish eat other fish?

A: Yes. Small fish are part of the knifefish diet in the wild. Basically, any fish small enough to fit in the knifefish’s large mouth is considered prey.

Final Thoughts

The Black Ghost Knifefish is an enigmatic creature that is part of tribal folklore in South America where the creature originated. Sure, their shadowy, matte black color and single, long fin that curls beneath their body give the fish an otherworldly appearance. But these are peaceful, nocturnal giants who are actually rather shy and prefer to keep to themselves.

These mysterious fish make a formidable addition to a freshwater aquarium, but because they grow so large, you’ll need an appropriately sized tank if you plan to keep one.

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* For the safety of our animals, we now only ship live fish via UPS Next Day Air. If your order includes this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as the shipping option at checkout*

The Glass Knifefish is a relatively uncommon but fascinating “weird” fish in freshwater aquaria!

The glass knifefish (Eigenmannia virescens) is a very unique and remarkable fish native to many waters in South America. This species gets its name from its “glassy”, transparent body. Although this species resembles the popular Black Ghost Knifefish, it is a different genus. It is still a knifefish and possesses similar characteristics in terms of body shape and movement. This fish swims by the undulating action of its very long anal fin and can swim backwards as easily as it can swim forwards. It is a nocturnal predator and senses its surroundings and prey by generating an extremely weak electrical impulse that cannot be sensed by other animals that do not generate this impulse.

The Glass Knifefish requires an aquarium with plenty of cover such as plants, driftwood, rock formations, or various forms of plastic or glass tubing. A sandy subsoil and floating plants are also ideal. It is a relatively peaceful species with other fish and invertebrates too large to be considered prey. In fact, unlike many knifefish in the genus Apteronotus, glass knifefish prefer to be housed and will indeed school with their own kind. With a maximum size of 16 inches, it reaches a similar size to the Black Ghost Knifefish. That being said, a 125-gallon aquarium is recommended, although a larger footprint is more important than height. Strong filtering and regular aquarium care are also necessary for this predatory fish.

In the wild, the glass knifefish feeds on small invertebrates and fish. It has a relatively small mouth for a fish its size, however, it should not be trusted with much smaller fish and invertebrates in the aquarium. Our specimens currently feed on a variety of frozen and live meat foods and some will also consume high quality dry food.

The Ghost Fish is a fish that can be caught in the mines on the 20th and 60th floors at any time of the year. A Ghost can also drop a Ghost Fish (8% chance) when killed. It can also be found randomly in the Traveling Cart for 135-1,000g.

Map

The Ghost Fish can be found in the mines.

Give a gift

bunch

Ghostfish is used in the Specialty Fish Bundle in the Fish Tank.

recipes

Tailoring

Ghostfish can be used in the spool of the sewing machine to create the dyeable Fish Shirt.

fish pond

Ghost fish can be placed in a fish pond where they will breed every 2 days. The initial pond capacity is 1 fish, but the capacity can be increased to 10 by completing four quests. The primary output is White Ghost Fish Roe, but Quartz is possible from population 3 and several other valuable items are possible from population 9.

tasks

To produce

tasks

Two Ghost Fish can be requested from Dorado, Lingcod, or Pike in a Fish Pond quest to increase the pond’s capacity from 7 to 10.

story

Black Ghost Knifefish are very popular – they are an intriguing and elegant fish that will win your heart in no time.

From ghost stories to tribes in South America to electrogenesis, this fish will be a fun conversation starter in your home.

This fish is almost an exception to nature’s rules.

It has no scales or fins and its tail looks like a pole.

Read on to learn more about keeping Black Ghost Knifefish in your aquarium, from ideal tank conditions to feeding and the best tank companions.

Black Ghost Knifefish Facts & Overview

Category Rating Care Level: Advanced Temperament: Semi-Aggressive Color Shape: Black and White Lifespan: 10-15 years Size: 20 inches Diet: Carnivore Family: Apteronotidae Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons Tank Design: Tropical Freshwater Compatibility: Medium sized peaceful fish

The Black Ghost Knifefish is one of the most popular knifefish. It was originally known as Gymnotus albifrons and Apteronotus passan. But today this fish is known as Apteronotus albifrons.

Other common names by which it is known are the Apteronotid Eel and the Black Knife.

An interesting story about this fish is told by South American tribes. Among the tribes living in the Amazon jungle, it is believed that the souls of the dead inhabit these fish.

The common name of this fish, the ghost knifefish, comes from these stories.

These fish are primarily nocturnal and use electrolocation to navigate dark waters.

This fish has a fairly long lifespan and with proper care will be your companion for 15 years.

It’s available online or at pet stores for about $7.

behavior

Black Ghost Knifefish are tropical freshwater fish native to South America. These are nocturnal fish, being most active at night and resting during the day.

Being most active at night, their eyesight is not well developed, so they hunt and communicate using an electric field.

They are quite shy and not very social and prefer their own company – they can become quite aggressive when kept with other knifefish. After acclimating to the new environment, they come out of hiding at night and usually swim near the substrate or leaves and plants.

Looks

The Black Ghost Knifefish, as its name suggests, is all black except for two white rings on its tail and a white stripe on its nose, often extending down its back.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also knife-shaped—it doesn’t have a caudal or dorsal fin.

Their body is flat and elongated, reaching up to 20 inches in length when fully grown. The anal fin extends along the body from the belly to the tail. This gives him an elegant swimming style.

This knifefish species has no scales. Because of this, this fish is very sensitive to water conditions and infections as it lacks the added protection provided by the scales.

Black Ghost Knifefish can both emit and receive electrical signals. The current is generated by an organ in the tail. These cells sit on the skin of the fish and are used for both communication and electrolocation.

This electrogenesis is interesting when looking at gender differences. Although there is no apparent dimorphism between the two sexes, females have been found to emit higher frequencies than males.

Habitat and tank conditions

The black ghost knifefish is found throughout the Amazon and its tributaries, from Venezuela and Paraguay down to the freshwater basins of Peru.

These bodies of water are teeming with vegetation with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide. The water is usually fairly murky with poor lighting and moderate water currents.

The water would also be warm with a fairly neutral pH.

The substrate underneath would be soft sand that wouldn’t scratch, which is important as they are scale free.

These tropical freshwater habitats are home to a variety of insects, providing the black ghost knifefish with plenty of insect larvae to feed on.

A captive black ghost knifefish needs an environment that is as similar to its natural environment as possible. This is easy to do, we describe how to do it below.

tank setup

Since they are quite shy fish, they appreciate a tank with many hiding places. Smooth stones and plants are a must for them in your aquarium.

Remember this is a scaleless fish so provide a fine substrate to avoid injury – use sand or a very fine gravel mix. The tank should have dim lighting with a strong to moderate water flow.

Because the water in their natural environment is quite murky, they are tolerant of a range of water conditions. However, the best water parameters for your fish to settle easily are a temperature of 23.0-25.0 °C, a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and a hardness of 5-19 dGH.

Black ghost knifefish are freshwater species and do not tolerate brackish water.

Some hobbyists find their fish hidden in the canister filter or hose. Make sure to use pre-filters or cover open inlet pipes when setting up the tank to avoid surprises.

Since these are scaleless fish that are prone to infection, a UV sterilizer is a good purchase to avoid complications as it will help keep the water disease-free.

What size aquarium do you need?

Black Ghost Knifefish are large fish and require a large aquarium, at least 100 gallons.

How many can be stored per gallon?

This is not an aggressive species towards other tankmates like peaceful cichlids, however it does become very aggressive when sharing small spaces with the same or similar species.

If you choose to keep these fish together, you must allow at least 80 gallons per fish.

tankmates

Although considered a semi-aggressive fish, they are perfect for a community aquarium.

The ideal community for this fish is other peaceful fish of a similar size, such as peaceful cichlids or catfish.

Black ghost knifefish become aggressive when confined to small spaces and lacking sufficient hiding places.

They also get quite boisterous when kept with conspecifics or similar conspecifics.

Make sure any tankmates you add are at least 6 inches tall and fairly peaceful.

The perfect community can be created with peaceful catfish, angelfish, large peaceful cichlids, discus and corydoras.

Corydoras make great companions as they also help keep the aquarium clean.

Of course, tankmates must also have similar preferences when it comes to water conditions. This rules out species like goldfish that prefer cooler waters.

As your Black Ghost Knifefish grows, you may be able to keep them with smaller fish such as tetras, guppies, barbel, and rasboras.

Small crustaceans and snails (like shrimp and snails) do not mix well as they make perfect food for your Black Ghost. They are likely to be eaten during the night hours.

Don’t keep these fish with other aggressive fish or fish small enough to be considered food.

Keep Black Ghost Knifefish together

Keeping Black Ghost Knifefish together is not the best idea unless you can provide a tank large enough for them to establish and develop their own territory.

Care

Black Ghost Knifefish are recommended for more experienced aquarists as they can be difficult to keep.

This fish has no scales and is very sensitive to diseases and chemicals in the water. For this reason, you might want to consider investing in a UV sterilizer.

One thing to keep in mind for this fish is to never use copper based medicines as they are very toxic to them.

Knifefish are susceptible to skin flukes such as Ich disease. Your fish will start to itch and rub themselves in the tank, but with the right treatment, they should heal quickly. Raise the temperature up to 86°F if you detect an infection. Higher temperatures disrupt the parasite’s life cycle, preventing it from reproducing and growing.

They are commercially bred in Indonesia, which is great for South America’s wild populations.

Pay attention to the size when buying. If you are offered an individual taller than 5 inches, they are likely from the wild.

When an individual originates from the wild, it can carry parasites and disease. Be sure to quarantine them to ensure no unwanted organisms enter your pristine aquarium.

diet

Black Ghost Knifefish are a carnivorous species. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, juvenile and small fish, and worms.

This will not change much in your tank and they should be fed fresh or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brine shrimp or sciarid worms.

Other alternatives include Tubifex worms, krill, shrimp, or crickets. You can also try feeding them pellets or flakes, but it may take a while for them to get used to it.

They avoid dry food.

A varied and balanced diet is important so that your fish receive the right vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system.

They should be fed an amount of food daily that they can eat in a few minutes. They are nocturnal animals and should be fed in the evening or at night.

At first, they may have trouble feeding themselves. Black ghosts are quite shy and take a while to come out of hiding.

Some hobbyists also managed to feed their pets with their own hands. This might be something you want to try, but you have to be patient. It may take a while to train your fish, but it will be very rewarding.

breed

Black ghost knifefish are not typically bred in aquariums. While some hobbyists claim they have managed to breed them, the methods are sometimes controversial.

Some specialized commercial fisheries in Indonesia have managed to breed them. However, they are quite tight-lipped about their success so this still remains a mystery.

The most common factors promoting breeding are:

Large tanks (100 gallons minimum)

Densely planted aquarium

Lots of hiding spots

Flooding and emptying the tank

Egg laying takes place in a cave or similar protected area. The eggs are yellow and about 0.08 inch in diameter; They usually take 3 days to hatch.

The parents should be separated from the eggs after oviposition. In the wild, it is common for the parents to eat the eggs; They don’t seem to have strong parenting instincts.

Once the fry are released they must be fed a variety of small foods. This can be infusoria, Artemia babies and/or crushed flake food.

Most aquarists do not get to the stage of rearing Black Ghost Knifefish Fry. If you make it, be sure to share your story to help and shed light on others.

summary

Black Ghost Knifefish are very popular, they have an intriguing swimming style and can be very friendly once they have settled into the aquarium.

Similar to most eels, Knifefish have an electrosensory system used for location detection and communication.

As they are very susceptible to disease and can be a bit picky about food, it is advisable to gain some experience before keeping these fish.

This is a nocturnal fish and will be most active at night. They are carnivores and feed mainly on worms, brine shrimp and insects.

Over the years, aquarists have successfully trained their knifefish to eat out of their own hands – if you’re willing to devote some time to this adventure, you might be able to get them to eat out of your hands too!

Have you ever held a Black Ghost Knifefish? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…

genus of fish

Microsternarchus is a genus of snub-nosed knifefish found in streams and streams, often in areas of submerged vegetation, roots, and foliage, in the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo-Rupununi, and Río de la Plata basins of South America.[1] The two recognized species are both small knifefish, the largest being M. bilineatus at up to 12 cm (4.7 in) overall length. The other is M. brevis, which is the world’s smallest knifefish, measuring up to 5.3 cm.[2][3] Microsternarchus are very similar to Brachyhypopomus.[4]

Species [ edit ]

There are currently 2 recognized species in this genus:[2]

References[edit]