Black Ghost Knife Fish

[Ulysses048]

I have recently acquired a 15cm Black Ghost Knife Fish (currently being quarantined) - previous owner stated he had "attacked and killed other fish in the tank".
All info I have says they are shy and non aggressive.
I have several options to house him - a 3 ft angel tank, a 3 ft gourami tank, a lge 4 footer with 3 oscars....... or a 4 footer with 2 large silver sharks, a tandanus and 2 large silver dollars.
What option would my fish keeping enthusiast friends recommend as being this guy's new home??
Your thoughts and advice would be most appreciated.
Regards

[Ronin]

I have a smaller one (about9cm) in a tank with some very small yoyo loaches, kuhli's and some even smaller Half-Beaks, the only thing he ocasionally has issues with is a small feather fin catfish that would like his hiding cave tho I dont think he notices a 5cm bristlenose hanging from the roof. I plan on giving him his own tank when he gets larger possibly with a few discus for company. I'd try him in any of the tanks and keep an eye on him, you might just have a nasty one. I think they are one of the coolest fish around :)

[casperbgk]

theyre are a really cool fish but can be ver nasty at times. i noticed that theu hate elephant nose fihs, maybe because they both have electric waves. i had a 5 cm BGK kill a elephant nose nearly twic its size

Yea they hunt at night, with electronic waves to find the fish, I have seen them kill e.yellow and other smaller africans, I would try him with larger fish.

Although the oscars might be to agreesive for him. You will have to watch emm though.

[Thanes]

I've got 1 15cm bgk in a community tank with severums blue eyes(& fry) a couple of eels alot of plecos & b/ns.It also had 2 big oscars but they were introduced after the knife.All get on well but had a slight problem with rams going missing early on in the piece.(no more rams no more problem.).Hope this helps Brian.

[dammwoman]

They have hugemouths and willeat anything small enought of swallow but have found mine are fairly good with anything that is too big to eat.
A big fellow of mine used to go and pick fights with the bigger cichlids inthe pond and it was almost like a daily ritual that he and the cichlids had going..no one was ever killed but they were a tattered bunch who all seemed to really enjoy their daily brawl. Bob moved him to a 4ft tank with other smaller cichilds and he was quite peaceful with them.  This bloke was 49cm when he died and I am guessing it was old age as I'd had him for years but just try yours out and see where he fits in the best.
Cheers Linda

[Ulysses048]

Thank you all for commenting on your experiences with this fish.
Yes - I agree - they are indeed a very cool fish !!!!!!
I have built him a "house" from a clear plastic tube which I have covered in plant material so make him feel safe - but so that you can still see him "hovering" in and out the entrance.
I have yet to decide which tank to put him in - but all the advice will certainly make the decision easier.  I have long wanted to own one of these fish - but do not want to lose any of the tankmates he will eventually be housed with.
It is always comforting to learn the experiences of others - and this site has always provided me with the information to improve my knowledge in fishkeeping ...
Thanks to all fellow fish enthusiasts!!!
Regards
Carole

[bryce2003]

I've never had a drama with my 2 BGK's killing anything off in our community tank until they decided to spawn that is. When they did it was Paralellus (2), Yo Yo Loaches (10) and a Cuckoo cat. They're in with smallish fish like Rams and Cory's through larger fish like Pleco's, Clown Loaches etc. I feed my tank that they're in 3 times daily so I'm leaning towards the fact that I'm providing enough food that they don't need to hunt any of the smaller fish. That is until the Red Forest Jewels spawn and I tone back to feeding and let them have free rein. I reckon if you put them in a tank with smaller tank mates make sure you keen an eye on the feeding. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bryce.

[twinair]

+ 1 for them being really cool fish.

i had one for a couple of years.
he lived with a rainbow shark and 2 silver sharks.
along with 3 sucking cat fish.

they all lived happily together.

i think the secret is to provide plenty of 'hiding' spaces for them.
lots of rocks and plants !