what to feed ghost knife

Black Ghost Knifefish

are a carnivorous species. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, juveniles, and small fish, and worms. In your tank, this won’t change much and they should be fed with fresh or frozen food such as bloodworms, brine shrimps, or blackworms.

Full Answer

What do you feed a black ghost knife fish?

Food for a Black Ghost Knife Fish. These fish are almost strictly carnivores. A variety of foods is always the healthiest way to feed fish. In addition to flakes, you can feed any type of worms like blood, tubifex, even earthworms, brine shrimp, any types of meaty foods.

Can you keep two black ghost knife fish in the same tank?

This will pretty much only present itself when they’re around other black ghost knife fish. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep two or more in the same tank. As long as these fish have enough space to call their own, it’s unlikely that they’ll be aggressive toward one another.

What is a black ghost knife fish?

Black ghost knife fish ( Apteronotus albifrons) are a tropical freshwater fish that have been steadily growing in popularity over the years. This is mostly due to their incredibly unique appearance that makes them stand out in any tank. They get their name from two sources.

How long do ghost knifefish live?

The common name of this fish, the Ghost Knifefish comes from these stories. These fish are mainly nocturnal animals and they use electrolocation to navigate dark waters. This fish has quite a long lifespan and if cared for properly they will be your companion for 15 years.

What should I feed my black ghost knife?

Diet and nutrition Aquarium-kept knifefish will eat fresh and frozen meaty foods, including bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. Generally, the Black Ghost will not eat flake food, although they will sometimes take carnivore pellets.

How do you take care of a ghost knife fish?

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. pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0, with alkalinity between 5° and 10° (90 ppm to 180 ppm). Temperature should be maintained between 75° and 80° F.

Are black ghost knife fish bottom feeders?

These are bottom-feeder fish which means they'll be spending a lot of time in the lower portion of your tank. Fine sand or gravel is best, although we have some people get away with slightly larger gravel too (not our preference though).

Do black ghost knife fish need a heater?

Keep that water warm. The temperature your tank should be between 73 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit (22.8-27.8 degrees Celsius). You will need a tank thermometer to tell the water temperature inside the tank. A tank heater may be needed (depending on where you live) to get the water to an acceptable temperature range.

How fast do ghost knife fish grow?

Black ghosts only grow 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) a year – for the first five years. Then they slow down. But the damage is usually done by that point. At full adult length, black ghost knifefish reach up to 20 inches (51 cm).

What do baby black ghost knife fish eat?

Black Ghost Knifefish are a carnivorous species. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, juveniles, and small fish, and worms. In your tank, this won't change much and they should be fed with fresh or frozen food such as bloodworms, brine shrimps, or blackworms.

How big do ghost knives get?

It will grow to a maximum length of 50 cm (20 in). Black ghost knifefish are nocturnal. They are a weakly electric fish which use an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate insect larvae.

Do ghost knife fish need air pump?

Do black ghost knife fish need air pump? Yes, black ghost knife fish do need an air pump. These fish consume a lot of oxygen from the water, and aerating and oxygenating the water for these fish is very important.

How can you tell if a black ghost knife is male or female?

0:384:21Male Ghost Knife Characteristics - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if there's any sex organs on it it would be located right here on his bottom side of his body.MoreAnd if there's any sex organs on it it would be located right here on his bottom side of his body. The long fin that goes along here all the way to his tail.

How do you feed a black knife fish?

1:048:56Care Guide for Black Ghost Knifefish - Aquarium Co-Op - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you don't want stuff beating on them and you don't want stuff that fits into their mouth. So aMoreBut you don't want stuff beating on them and you don't want stuff that fits into their mouth. So a lot of blood worms frozen brine shrimps little eat pellets and stuff like that.

How long does a Black Ghost Knifefish live?

The Ultimate Black Ghost Knifefish Care Guide: Size, Tank Mates and More…Black Ghost KnifefishTemperament:PeacefulLifespan:15 yearsMinimum Tank Size:120 gallonsTank Mate Compatibility:Other large and docile freshwater fish7 more rows•Jun 4, 2021

Do Ghost Knifefish need air pump?

Do black ghost knife fish need air pump? Yes, black ghost knife fish do need an air pump. These fish consume a lot of oxygen from the water, and aerating and oxygenating the water for these fish is very important.

How big do Ghost Knifefish grow?

20 inIt will grow to a maximum length of 50 cm (20 in). Black ghost knifefish are nocturnal. They are a weakly electric fish which use an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate insect larvae.

How big of a tank does a Black Ghost Knifefish need?

These fish grow up to 20 inches so they need a lot of space to grow and thrive. Each Black Ghost Knifefish needs at least 120 gallons. You should make sure your floor is sturdy enough to handle this weight. A 120 gallon tank weighs at least 1000lbs once it is fully loaded.

How many gallons of water does a black ghost knife need?

To accommodate the electric field generated, enclose the swimming room, and provide the necessary hiding spaces for ONE black ghost knife, don’t go smaller than 100 gallons (379 l).

What is a black ghost knifefish?

Black ghost knifefish are strict carnivores. They developed electrolocation to hunt in the dismal waters of their river systems, zeroing in on the signals sent out by their prey.

Where does the name Black Ghost knife come from?

The black ghost knife name comes from the curved shape of their bodies.

Do black ghost knifefish turn into bullies?

Obviously, that leaves out smaller fish. Not because black ghost knifefish will turn into bullies (that isn’t in their temperament).

Is Black Ghost Knifefish dazzling?

Black ghost knife fish aren’t dazzling – in their colors or with their electroreception.

Can you omit a Black Ghost knife?

As long as you’ve done due diligence in providing enough room for your black ghost knife to navigate and explore in the first place, there’s no reason you to omit them from a community tank.

Can aquarists use black ghost knives?

Unfortunately, many aquarists aren’t prepared for the adult size of a black ghost knife.

What do knifefish eat?

Feed live food. In the wild, the knifefish eats insect larva, insects, worms and small fish so replicate this diet in your tank. To replicate the diet you can use foods such as:

How to keep knifefish healthy?

Use a water pump. Coming from the Amazon river, knifefish are used to moderate to strong water flows. A good water flow gives your fish mush needed exercise to keep it healthy.

What to do if knifefish are sensitive to ammonia?

Have a strong filter. Make sure your filter can any and all waste and impurities. Knifefish are very sensitive to things in the water like ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

How big is a black ghost knifefish?

From the Amazon river comes a beautiful species of nocturnal fish. Growing up to 20 inches (49 cm), the black ghost knifefish has a spot in the heart of every fish keeper.

How to hunt knifefish?

Use minimal lighting. Knifefish are nocturnal and used to hunting in the dark. During the day, use none or very little light. At night, use some low-level lighting so you can see the fish when its active.

Where do knifefish spend most of their time?

The knifefish will spend most of its time in the bottom of the tank.

Can you feed a knifefish?

Only feed it healthy fish/insects. Sickness can be transferred from anything from plants to feeder food. Make sure to properly quarantine anything that you add to your tank and to only buy your food from reputable sources that you trust. Knifefish are prone to skin flukes, parasitic infestations (protozoa, ichthyobodo, worms), bacterial infections, and bacterial diseases.

What to Feed Black Ghost Knife Fish to Encourage Spawning?

A nutritious diet comparable to what they’d eat in their natural habitat is recommended. Meat-based live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp (offered at nighttime) are the perfect choice. Unlike other species of omnivorous freshwater fish, black ghost knife fish don’t transition well to flaked of pellet foods.

How to Setup a Tank for Breeding Black Ghost Knife Fish?

Setting up your tank properly is key to successful ghost knife fish breeding. Begin by laying a fine-grained substrate like sand along the bottom. Add plenty of plants and driftwood for cover. Since they originate in tropical freshwater conditions, ensure the parameters are appropriate – including a temperature of 72- to 82-degrees Fahrenheit, a pH range of 7-8 and a hardness between 0 and 10 KH.

How to Induce Black Ghost Knife Fish Spawning?

As black ghost knife fish like to breed at night, try keeping the aquarium in a quiet area, free of movement and with the light off for at least 14 hours each day. Consider adding extra floating plants, rocks, or other easily transferable decorations to serve as deposition areas for eggs.

How Can You Tell if a Black Ghost Knife Fish is Male or Female?

Ghost knife fish are often hard to sex, since males and females look very similar. This makes it difficult to establish a mated pair for breeding purposes. During the spawning seasons, males will often display a red color along their tails. As well, males tend to have larger eyes that are set higher on the head. Determining the gender of this species at a young age is next to impossible.

How to Introduce a Mated Pair of Black Ghost Knife Fish to an Aquarium?

Many aquarium hobbyists consider this to be the most difficult part of breeding black ghost knife fish. Purchasing an already compatible, mated pair is likely your best bet for successful spawning. For this, you’ll likely need to contact a professional breeder that specializes in this species alone. Doing research online in advance is strongly encouraged.

How to Make Infusoria for Black Ghost Knife Fish Fry?

To make your own baby fish food, follow the 10 simple steps outlined below:

Can You Breed Black Ghost Knife Fish?

You can breed black ghost knife fish in captivity, but it’s often difficult to do. As little is know about this species’ breeding habits in a contained aquatic environment, many aquarium hobbyists choose to purchase them from fish keepers that often spawn them in large breeding ponds rather than tanks. Breeding black ghost knife fish requires an extra-large tank – at least 200 gallons per mated pair!

What do black ghost knifefish eat?

Black Ghost Knifefish are a carnivorous species. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, juveniles and small fish and worms. In your tank, this won’t change much and they should be fed with fresh or frozen food such as bloodworms, brine shrimps or blackworms.

How many gallons of water do black ghost knifefish need?

Black Ghost Knifefish are large fish and need a large aquarium of at least 100 gallons.

What is the name of the fish that is known as the Black Knife?

It was originally known as Gymnotus albifrons and Apteronotus passan. But today this fish is known as Apteronotus albifrons. Other common names which it is known by include the Apteronotid eel and the Black Knife. An interesting story about this fish is one which is told by South American tribes.

How long do ghost knifefish live?

This fish has quite a long lifespan and if they are properly cared for they will be your companion for 15 years. It is readily available online or in pet shops for around $7.

Why is the Black Ghost Knifefish so sensitive to water?

For this reason, this fish is very sensitive to water conditions and infections as it lacks the extra protection given by the scales. Black Ghost Knifefish can both emit and receive electric signals. The electricity is produced by an organ found in the tail.

What is the best temperature for black ghost knifefish?

However, the best water parameters to allow your fish to easily settle are a temperature of 73.0-82.0°F, a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and a hardness of 5-19 dGH. Black Ghost Knifefish are freshwater species and can not tolerate any brackish conditions. Some hobbyists find their fish hiding in the canister filter or tubing.

Do knifefish have electro-sensory systems?

Similarly to most eels, Knifefish have an electro-sensory system used for location detection and communication. As they are quite sensitive to diseases and can be a bit picky with food it is recommended that you gain some experience before keeping these fish. This is a nocturnal fish and will be most active at night.

How big of a tank do ghost knife fish need?

Tank Size. The minimum tank size for one black ghost knife fish is 100 gallons. These fish can grow to be quite large and need a tank that’s big enough to accommodate them. Keeping a fish of this size in a smaller tank will not only increase their aggression, but it will cause their health to suffer as well.

Why are ghost knife fish so popular?

The appearance of the black ghost knife fish is obviously the main reason why these fish are so popular. There’s really nothing like it!

Why are ghost knife fish more likely to get skin diseases than other species?

This is because they don’t have the scaley armor that other fish can rely on.

Why is a soft substrate important for ghost knife fish?

The reason why a soft substrate is important for these fish is their body type. Black ghost knife fish have fairly fragile skin and no scales. This means a coarse substrate could cut them and potentially lead to an infection or illness. Once you’ve settled on your substrate it’s time to add some hiding places.

How long do ghost knife fish live?

Lifespan. The average lifespan of a black ghost knife fish is around 10 years under solid care conditions. However, this can reach up to 15 years in some cases! The main factors that influence their lifespan are the quality of overall care (both before you purchased your fish and after) as well as genetics.

What is a black ghost knife fish?

Black ghost knife fish ( Apteronotus albifrons) are a tropical freshwater fish that have been steadily growing in popularity over the years. This is mostly due to their incredibly unique appearance that makes them stand out in any tank.

How big is a black ghost knife?

Size. The average black ghost knife fish size is somewhere between 18 and 20 inches when fully grown. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood pieces of information about this species. A lot of potential owners seem to think they’re a lot smaller than they really are!