African Knifefish - 11/03/2004
I recently bought a brown knife fish.
<Xenomystus nigri....  Usually called the African knife, sometimes sold as the brown knife.  Is this your fellah?  http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Xenomystus&speciesname=nigri  There *is* a fish more similar to the black ghost knife referred to as the brown ghost, but I've only seen this fish once or twice offered for sale.>
(It's been about 10 years since my last aquatic impulse buy. I was due.)
<Tsk tsk....  ;) >
I put him in a 55 gallon  aquarium containing 5 hatchets, 7 harlequin rasboras, 5 zebra danios,
<All of these may one day be food....>
1 sunset gourami, and 3 Cory cats. He doesn't seem to be bothering any of them. He's  only about 4" long now. Brown knifes don't get as big as clowns, do they?
<Hoo, goodness, no!  The clown gets over four feet long!  The African knife is, perhaps, the *only* regularly available knife suitable for your tank, topping out at about 12", and often a bit smaller than this.>
Will  my tank be big enough if I don't add any more fish?
<I believe so.>
When he gets bigger, will my  other fish be in danger?
<Plausibly.  I would try very hard not to be too attached to your smaller fishes, right now....>
Since I don't get to see much of him, how do I know if  he's getting enough to eat?
<Feed after lights-out on the tank.  Leave a small light on in the room the tank is in; just enough for you to see by.  After waiting an hour or so, sneak in with some stinky yummy treats (I've seen these relish frozen bloodworms like nothing before!) and wait until he finds it.  You can use a cone-type worm feeder.  If this doesn't get him biting, you might try live ghost shrimp or live blackworms; the former is the "healthier", "safer" choice.>
How do you feed live earthworms to them?
<After lights-out, try holding the worm by hand so that some/most of it is in the water near the knife.  Wait.  See if he bites.  Don't fear, eventually this fish will be easier to feed, and will recognize you as the bringer of treats.>
I know from past experience (with fire belly newts) that they try to burrow into the gravel before they get eaten. How do I keep the worm where the knife will find it?
<Again, try by hand, or perhaps you could use a dish of some sort to place the worm in?>
I really appreciate any advice you can give me.
JoLynn
<Good luck with this new knife....  One of my favorite oddities, by far!  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Ghosts, Knives and something else
I have a 55Gal tank with only an 8in. Black ghost <max over 12"> and a 7in. African black knife <max 8 to 12">. I am trying to find what other fish I can put in the tank and how many of each would be appropriate. I used to have a Silver Arowana but he got way too big for the tank (27in) so I had to find him a new home. And my albino clown that I loved died after I took the Arowana out. I have tried Nicaraguense, Bala sharks and a Green Terror but the cichlids seem to pick on the black ghost and the Balas are so twitchy.  I am thinking about trying another clown but it would be nice to have some fish they weren't always hiding. The tank is pretty lonely and I don't know who would be most compatible with the ghost. I don't want him to become fish food <Nothing that will fit in a 55 will take an 8" ghost> or make fish food out of them <Very likely, unless too large to fit in it's mouth>.
Nicole.
<The biggest problem I see is the size of your tank. A 55 is fine for what you have now. But you would have to add some fairly large fish to ensure they do not become a late night snack. And if you want a few of them, the 55 shrinks in my eyes. Clown loaches come to mind. They grow large, but slowly. Some of the larger Cory species would also be safe. Don>

Knives, Spines, Rope and Fire. OK to add Claws?
Hi, thanks for the info that you've given me so far, but I've got another question. I've got my 130 gallon tank set-up with a 10" clown Knifefish, 12" spiny eel, 6" fire eel, and 12" ropefish. <No guppies or swordtails for you, huh?> I also own two African clawed frogs (about 4" long each) that are being kept at my mothers work. I'm wondering if I would be able to put the two frogs in the 130 gallon tank. In your opinion, do you think that the clown might decide to take a bite out of the soft, fleshy frogs, or would he leave them alone? Right now, the clown eats 3" long goldfish, but I'm trying to get him to accept frozen shrimp. <A bit risky, IMO. A Knife will eat anything he can fit in it's mouth. Even if he only tries, he may kill or injure the frog. Not a great mix. Risk would be reduced if the Knife was off live food first and kept well fed. The eels may even cause problems at night, but less likely.>    
Also, one other question.  For my 130 gallon tank, would a Classic Eheim 2215 canister filter and a Fluval 404 canister filter be enough for the tank? I'm going to be adding more fish to the tank than I have now and prefer to have above average filtration. If the filtration isn't enough, what's a good filter that I could add to the other two? <Each are rated for around 100 gallons. You should be fine as is, but those are some pretty large fish in there, and growing. I'm a big fan of Marineland's Emperor 400 for bio filtration. Surely wouldn't hurt to add the bio wheels to help with ammonia processing.>
Thanks for all of your help.
<One last point, which I'm sure you knew was coming. Try very hard to get the Knife off live fish. Hard to do, I know. But unless you can QT the feeders, sooner or later you WILL (not "may") bring Ick or some other nasty into your system. Treating a 130 with these large fish will be a challenge to say the least. Don>

Black Ghost Knife Help
Hi there from another fishaholic!<Hi Jennifer, MikeD here> Sorry to bother you with petty questions that really don't apply to any of your other visitors, but I *really* need some help regarding my black ghost knife.<One of my all time favorite FW fish> Although I generally research fish species very thoroughly before purchasing them, I only did a little such research before buying a black ghost knife. It was really pretty much an impulse buy, though I was at least somewhat familiar with the species.<They're pretty tough if handled right>
At any rate, the manager of my LFS promised me that if I purchased one, he would do just fine in a twenty-gallon, provided he had plenty of coverage and was kept completely by himself. She did say that it was pushing the limits to keep him in a 20-gallon, but that he'd do okay, even as an adult. (He's 7 inches now.)<I'm not sure why they told you to keep it alone, as they do well with many other species if the tank is arranged correctly. As to the adult part, my largest grew to about 15" if that tells you anything>
Now, I'm starting to have second thoughts on that. I assume he's okay for *now* in the 20-gallon, but will he really be okay when he grows up? I have an extra 35-gallon that I haven't stocked yet but it's very well planted and decorated, as I tend to pride myself on that. The problem is, it's very hard, brackish water, and it would be a huge inconvenience to redesign and refill the whole thing. Besides, I was really looking forward to the archers and sailfin mollies I was going to keep... But, if I need to, I'm willing to change conditions if that's what it takes to save my ghost knife. (I simply can't afford another large aquarium for him.)<OK. While he WILL eventually outgrow the 20 (20L or 20H?), they are fairly slow growers so you've got at least a couple of years before it should become a concern.>
Wow, you're very patient if you're still reading this.<Still here **grin**> I guess, to get to my point, can my ghost knife stay in that 20-gallon as an adult, or even now? Or will I have to completely revamp the 35-gallon for him? Would a 35-gallon even be enough? Should I just swallow my pride and give that poor fish to somebody that can take better care of him? Just how fast will he grow, anyway? Maybe slow enough that he could stay in the 20-gallon until I could afford a new tank?<I guess I should have waited until I got here to answer, eh? **grin**>
Also, the LFS lady told me that black ghost knives can be held and are even intelligent enough to recognize their handlers... is this true? Sounds a little odd...<It depends on what she means by held. If you cup your fingers in the water, they will indeed swim into your hand if you train them.  I don't know what you're currently feeding it, but they also appreciate meaty foods, with their favorite being earthworms. They'll also appreciate ghost shrimp and even a piece of raw shrimp like you'd have for dinner, unbattered, of course.  These are small cousins of the electric eel, and I'm assuming you know that they navigate by true electronic sonar. Because of this, never add another S. American Knifefish or African Mormyrids, such as "baby whales" or "elephantnoses"...they cross each others electric signals and a true war will result>
Thank you SOOOOO much for your help!
<You're very welcome>

Everybody To The Limit! - 04/13/2004
I purchased a knife clown about 5 days ago.  He's about 3 to 4 inches long.  
<Aww, just a little baby!  Just to check, you do realize that these beauties get over four feet long, yes?>
I have him in a 30 gallon tank with 2 gouramis, 2 tiger barbs, 2 angels, a large pleco, a 4 inch silver dollar, a small Cory cat, a small tetra, and a kuhlii loach.  
<Uh, and a partridge in a pear tree??  This is, nicely put, a little much for a 30 gallon tank, I'm afraid.>
I realize knife clowns grow rapidly and that I will not be able to keep this one in my tank for long.  
<Or any tank....  A few hundreds of gallons would do for a couple of years.>
However, I have fed him fish flakes, freeze dried plankton, freeze dried Tubifex worms, brine shrimp and feeder guppies, and he has exhibited little to no interest in any of these.  I have yet to see him eat, though he swims around freely during feeding time.  
<Try frozen bloodworms, pieces of krill, squid, prawn/shrimp.... and skip the feeder guppies, unless you breed them yourself; they run a *terribly* high risk of giving your fish disease.>
All the other fish chowed down.  I have also noticed that his fins are nipped.  
<Uh, not to be cruel or anything, but what do you expect?  A thirty gallon tank is not suitable for the sheer volume of fish you've got, and *especially* not suitable for a knife capable of growing taller than your average school kid.>
I have noticed the silver dollar nip at him a couple of times.  
<I would not doubt it.  The barbs are undoubtedly to blame, too.>
Any suggestions?  
<First and foremost, I would forget about the knife for now.  I hate to be harsh, but there is just not a place in your tank for such a fish right now.  If the stress from the crowd doesn't kill him, the barbs and silver dollar will, I'm afraid.  Then I'd recommend focusing on how to hone down your bioload some; characins are schoolers, and need to be with others of their kind to thrive; you might consider doing a separate tank for the silver dollar, and get him a couple pals, and include the barbs in that tank, and the tetra with some friends, too.  That would take you down to two Gourami, two angels, a pleco, a Cory, and a Kuhli in your 30g.  The Plec will be next to need a bigger home, if he doesn't already; you implied that you planned on moving the knife to a bigger tank - perhaps instead, you could upgrade, and move this batch (Gourami, angels, Plec, Cory Kuhli) into the bigger tank, leaving the characins in the 30g?  I'd add a couple more Corys and a couple more Kuhlis, too; they, too, are better in groups.  Then, after that's settled, you might like to consider Xenomystus nigri, the African Knifefish, for your larger tank.  This is really the only knife available in the trade that will not grow far too large for the average tank; they top out at about eight inches.  Here's fishbase's rundown on 'em:  http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=5065&genusname=Xenomystus&speciesname=nigri .>
I am at a loss for what to do next.
<There is really nothing you can do to make the current mix work....  I do not foresee the knife surviving in the current scenario.  I hope that this has been of assistance to you....  Please forgive the "nagging"; I only have the interests of you and your fish in mind.>
Thank you in advance, Mariella
<Wishing you and your finny pals well,  -Sabrina>

Off-colored Ghost Knife and Oscars with Angels - 02/22/2004
Magnus...
<Sabrina, today, hope all is well>
Thought I would update you on my ghost who lost his color.
I put him in my 5gal guppies tank.  Thought that would be best - no one to intimidate him.  Of course, he loved the old car for his home, and as expected, the baby guppies all disappeared.  Had to make a decision of sacrifice to hopefully keep him alive.  I noticed a bit of black coming back (due to fresh "sea food" I'm sure...),
<And you'll surely have more baby guppies in the future, no worries.  Good that they have contributed to your ghost's well-being, a worthy cause, IMO.>
but he has outgrown the little tank,
<Heh, to be expected!>
so I moved him to the 38gal.  This tank consists of Parrots, Tiger Barbs, and a handful of misc.  The red tail shark is probably the most aggressive, but lives in harmony with the others usually.  Once in awhile he'll chase the barbs around.  So far the ghost has found an ornament to hide in and seems to being doing okay.
<IMO, all of these are too aggressive as tank mates - do keep an eye on him, watch closely for splits in his fins or any other signs of distress.>
Another question....I have a 60gal octagon with two Oscars, two tins,
<Hmm?  Ahh, tinfoil barbs, yes?>
two fire mouth cichlids and two angels and a silver dollar.  All is well with the combination at this point, but as the Oscars grow (one is about 6"), do you think the angels will be okay?  
<Not at all, not in this size/shape tank - I would consider all tankmates grossly at risk of harassing/harming one another as they "grow up" - the Oscars will likely require a tank of their own, if they're getting on well, they've likely paired.  Removing them to their own space will give you some wiggle room for the rest, and the Tinfoils are the next biggest worry - topping out at about fourteen inches.  Fortunately, they are durable, and slow growers - I would remove them with the Oscars.  A tank that is big on surface area (er, not a hex/octagon/tall tank) will do best for the four.>
One angel is quite large, the other only about 2 1/2 inches.  I know there is not always a rule to go by, but do you
think I should move the angels?
<The Oscars and Tinfoils will need a larger tank in the long run.... not so much larger in gallonage as in usable space.>
FYI-my "herd" has gone down in numbers.  I have been very blessed to have had 6 adoptions in the past two weeks.  
<Wonderful!!>
Down to 13 dogs-seems so quiet.  
<Sounds like you're doing quite well.>
Thumbs up to your girlfriend for helping the shelters and rescues-wish she was here!
Have a wonderful day.  Ren
<You, too.  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Clown Knife 
I am thinking of purchasing a Clown Knife fish and I was wondering what size of aquarium I should purchase?  I was also wondering what are common tankmates for a clown knife?
<I raised knife fish for many years, and the Clowns are some of my favorite species!  They get really (really) big, they usually stay around 2 feet long in the home aquarium. In the wild you can find these fish around 36 inches in length.  The largest one I had was just over 25 inches long and was being housed in a 150 gallon tank.  though she seems slightly cramped in there.  I would say that a 150 is the bare minimum for an adult clown knife.  I eventually moved her to a 650 gallon tank since she was so large.  As for tankmates, Clown knife fish aren't aggressive.  They don't typically pester other tankmates, unless they are very small.  The other tankmates MUST be larger than the clown knifes mouth.  If they are bite-sized fish they are gone!  My clown was over 18 inches long within the first year and a half, and at that size it could easily swallow a 3+ inch goldfish.  I kept a school of tinfoil barbs with my clown, these fish were about 8 or 9 inches total in length.  The barbs were very active and didn't seem to get in the way of the clown at all. Also in the tank was a Pleco, and surprisingly a large Raphael catfish.  It seemed that my clown disregarded any bottom dwelling fish (though not sure if it's true with all clownfish).  As for other tankmates, the requirements are that they must be fast fish, in case the clown does get testy.  The tankmates can not be aggressive, if a clown knife should become injured, or it's anal fin damaged it will not be able to swim.  And the fish will stress itself to death. Cichlids are not to be kept with knives.  And the biggest concern is that the fish need to grow faster than the mouth on the clown (which will grow quickly).  They will need to be big fish.  If these fish are larger than the clown can swallow, then the clownfish will not even care about them.
Other concern with the clown is that you will need to offer it a place to hide.  I used a large piece of driftwood in my tank along with giant fake plants (4 feet long varieties).  This made a natural looking wall for the fish to hide behind, thus making it more comfortable.  I also found that I only left one side of my tank lights on (the side opposite the hiding spot).  As well as have one of the plastic plants floating on the surface of the water, shading much of the tank.  Clowns prefer to hunt at night, and don't typically come out during the bright day.  Doing this I found my clown would tend to come out more often during the day without the intense lighting.  Be sure to get your clown on food other than live fish.  I spoiled mine when it was young by only feeding it feeder fish and when it was older I couldn't get it to switch easily.  I found myself purchasing 2-3 dozen goldfish ever couple of days to feed it.  Fact: An adult clown knife can eat 2 dozen medium sized goldfish in a single night.  Good luck on the fish.  They are very enjoyable, and quite impressive. -Magnus>

Ghost knife with cichlids
My son has had a black ghost knife fish for four years. He is about 9 inches.  We, being ignorant, were keeping him in a <gasp> 10 gal. aquarium all this time.
<yikes that is a bit small...>
The last few months he ("Sonar") would stay out of his ghost tube most of the time and do loops a lot.  We increased his feed.
<that happens with Knifefish small tanks seem to have them get restless.>
Anyway, at Christmas I bought him a 29 gal. tank <wow> thinking that would be wonderful.  It came with an Aqua-tech 20-40 power filter. <I know you're laughing>.  
<Any filter is better than none, just have to make sure the water parameters are okay.>
Being ignorant again, in regards to the new tank cycling.  I also bought two convict cichlids to keep him company.  My thinking was they could hold their own with him since he killed the Neons and Bala shark my son used to have.  
<be cautious with any cichlids and Knifefish, cichlids are nippy things, and if a Knifefish should loose his anal fin (which is it's only real propulsion) then it is done for.  I try to keep my Knifefish with tankmates that I know won't bother it.>
I used the Stress-coat and Stress-zyme.  The ammonia levels got really high.  
<A fish that size is bound to put out some high amounts of waste and ammonia>
I did have a knowledgeable man at Petco advise me on changing out the water and doubling up on the stress-zyme.  So I did that two times the first week, about 25%.
<The stress-zyme isn't really helping the ammonia levels, it's helping the water additives in your water.  The water change is helping the ammonia levels. So keep up on the water changes.>
I kept asking about using our filtered drinking water  at fish stores and no one seemed too concerned.  We have rural chlorinated hard water but a water softener, which is what I used for the tank.  I now plan on using the filtered for the next change out.
<many Saltwater people prefer using filtered water for their tanks, nothing saying you can't use it.  Just that it can get expensive.>
Should I still use the chemical additives?
<It's not hurting the fish any, so you can keep doing it, just only add what is recommended on the package.   Good luck with the knife.  When they get older you will have lots of fun.  I have a friend that feeds his ghost by hand.>
My main question is should I get rid of the two cichlids?  
<I would, they run the risk of damaging the knife.>
Since all this I have spent a lot of time reading and learning ( a good thing) about these guys.
<That is a very good thing.  Research research research!  you will have more fun if you know what to expect.>
  I think they are both males.  The bigger one (they're both about 3 in) chases the other a lot and so he hides by Sonar which is sometimes in his tube with him.  I just noticed a couple slits in Sonar's ventral fin now and I'm feeling very guilty.  Other than that they seem to not bother him.  He still does his loops and does come out to feed when the light is on although he is spending more time in his tube again.
Also, I have learned we really didn't have a biological filter so I stuck a trickle filter sponge in the power filter where the water flow out hoping that will help.
<any more filtration is better than what is on there.>
I'm pretty sure I'm going to find a home for these cichlids even though I enjoy watching them.  I thought of just getting rid of the aggressive one.  
<You can set up another tank for them.  Cichlid tanks are extremely rewarding.  Get a male/female pair, and within 3-4 years you will no doubt be an expert and breeding them for you LFS!>
Sonar is my biggest concern.  Should I do anything else?  Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
<I would separate the fish, chances are high that they will pick at Sonar when you aren't around.  Give some thought into setting up a cichlid tank, I'm sure you and the family will really enjoy them!>
Sheryl in Missouri    
<good luck Sheryl.  -Magnus in New York>

Large Fish Compatibility
I have recently bought a striped shovelnose and a black ghost together and the pet store said they were compatible, which they are. they don't bother each other. later on I bought a gold Severum and 2 clown loaches, which the pet store said that the Severum and clown loaches would go good with the black ghost knife fish and the shovelnose. nothing has happened yet because they are all pretty small. but I was telling someone what I had in my tank and they said that I shouldn't have listened to there advice because the black ghost knife fish would be fish food sooner or later. so I was wondering is that true? I do know that the Severum is compatible with all the other fish but I couldn't find any information on the black ghost fish. if you can help I would much appreciate it.
        thank you          sincerely, Lindsey
<Hi Lindsey, I am scared to ask what size tank you have.  These are all fish that get really large.  The shovelnose can get close to 2ft, and the Ghost knife will not be too far behind.  In a large enough tank you might be ok, I personally do not trust large catfish with smaller tank mates, they have a tendency to eat them.  You can find more on the Ghost knife at the links below.  Best Regards, Gage
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/knifefishfaqs.htm
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/knifefish.htm  >

Black Ghost Fish
Hi  
<Hello>
I   am setting up a tank for a ghost fish and want to know what sort of plants are good for putting in the tank and what other fish are suitable if any
<Tropical South American plants are my fave... ones that would, could be found in the same habitat. Tropica has a nice website that shows some of these biotopes... and maybe some sunken driftwood. Many medium sized Characoids (tetra) fishes will go with this Apteronotus... as well as Callichthyid catfishes... even angels. Bob Fenner>
Cheers Shelley Molloy

Clown Knifefish, Tiger shovelnose feeding, Toadfishes
Dear Bob and Associates,
I am a relatively experienced freshwater aquarist, but I have a little problem that I have never been able to find a solution to. I have a juvenile clown knife (Chitala chitala, 6") and a juvenile tiger shovelnose (Pseudoplatysoma fasciatum), and I am stumped as to what to feed them besides live foods (ghost shrimp and mollies/platies - never "rosy reds" or goldfish). I understand the enormous size these fish will attain, and I do not want to feed them unhealthy live fish (i.e. - goldfish) as they grow. Do any of you have experience with these fish? Since they're nocturnal, I assume that it would be best to try whatever non-live foods you suggest after lights-out in the aquarium.
<I would feed these guys glass worms, blood worms, plankton, Mysis, etc. Live ghost shrimp on occasion. Pelleted foods if they will eat it. If you are going to continue with the mollies and platies you should gut load them with the above foods.>
I also have developed a huge fascination with toadfishes. I am particularly interested in the three-spine toadfish (Batrachomoeus trispinosis, commonly sold as "freshwater lionfish", though I know it's heavy-brackish to marine). Do you know of any web sites with comprehensive and DETAILED information on these fish (or toadfish in general...I have looked on fishbase.org, posted in the WetWeb forums, etc. and had no luck)? I would like to set up a "community of toadfish" fish-only marine tank, but I don't want to go into it blind.
<Unfortunately I do not have much information on these fish, I would start with a search on google.com. Have you checked http://reefcentral.com/
There is also some information at the link below
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/batrachoididae.htm
Best Regards, Gage>
Any info you could give (whenever it is convenient for you...no rush) would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day! Thanks, Matt Parkison

In Love with a Chocolate Ghost Knife
Hi Bob,
<Hello Susie>
I have recently (three weeks ago to be exact) set up a freshwater (20 gallon) tank. My daughter has four aquariums, and has been quite successful with her fish. I went to her "fish place" to purchase a few new fish and fell in love with a chocolate ghost knife.
<A beautiful and intelligent species>
The owner of the shop assured me he would be fine with my mollies (5), guppies(6), platties(2), Cory cats(2), red tail shark(1), silver stripe shark(1), leopard algae eater(1),and neons(4). He is about five inches long and he is beautiful! I would really like to keep him, but now I have read on some internet sites that this may be bad. He seems to be fine, and prefers a rock cave to his clear tube. My questions are :
<Well... it will likely eat all baby livebearers... and your Neons in time... And the "sharks" prefer different water quality... hard/alkaline versus softer/acidic... and the worst fact to relate... your tank is way too small for all these fishes.>
1.Did I make an incorrect purchase? 2.Will he kill my other fish? 3.How does he find his food (bloodworms are what the guy suggested). 4.Does he absolutely have to have live food, and if so, what should I give him.
<Not live food, frozen defrosted meaty foods will likely do... offered right after "lights out" for the Ghost...>
I would really like to keep him, but I do not want to do the wrong thing.
<There are many other things to know about this fish and its relatives... they don't tolerate much in the way of standard fish medications... are electrogenic... Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Susie