deadmanwalking
Aquarium Advice Activist
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2012
- Messages
- 153
Origins and Fish Basics
The Black Ghost KnifeFish (Scientific Name: Apteronotus Albifrons) or as some may refer to it as, Black Ghost, is a tropical freshwater fish which can be kept in aquariums. Its scientific genus is Apteronotus and it is a member of the Oddball Fish Family (other oddball fish include Elephant-Nose Fish, Clown Knife, etc). The Black Ghost Knife Fish originates from South America, Amazon basin, Peru and Venezuela to Paraquay in the Parana River.
Temperment:
Black Ghost Knife Fish are nocturnal in nature and so you won't see much activity from them during the day. They can be shy, often staying in the one place for many hours at a time. However, they can also be agressive with other fish, particularly smaller fish than itself, and therefore when you are considering keeping this species it is essential to ensure that your other tankmates are big enough not to get eaten by the Black Ghost.
Diet and Feeding:
Black Ghost Knife Fishes are generally Carnivores and will accept live food as well as freeze dried/frozen food. They will generally not accept flake food. They should be fed one or twice a day (although feeding them twice is recommended because it will get them used to coming out more).
Care:
Black Ghost Knife Fish do not need a lot of specific special care, however they can be hard for some aquarists to look after. There are a few things to consider, however:
- Consider purchasing a "Ghost Tube" along with your Black Ghost. A ghost tube is simply a piece of plastic tubing to put in your tank and your Black Ghost Knife Fish will utilize it fully by staying in it for many hours per day. These ghost tubes are generally available across most Local Fish Stores.
- Although it may appear clumsy when swimming around your aquarium, it has a built in ‘radar’ system (due to its very weak vision) that uses low voltage electricity to help it navigate. Therefore, your Black Ghost may bump into other fish without realising that it is indeed a fish.
- Be sure not to keep a Black Ghost Knife Fish with any other electrical fish for long periods of time (an example of such fish is an Elephant-Nosed Fish) because this can cause both of their signals to interfere with each other and ultimately may weaken your Black Ghost's immune system.
Water Conditions:
The Black Ghost Knife Fish prefers a pH of 6-8 and a temperature of 73.0 to 82.0° F (22.8 to 27.8° C). Hardness of the water should ideally be from 5 - 19 dGH.
Potential Size and Water Region of the Fish:
This fish can reach a huge size; up to over 50cm in a lot of cases. Therefore, it is essential that your Black Ghost is kept in a tank size of at least 75 gallons. The water region that this fish swims in is generally at the lower levels of the aquarium; only coming up to the top for food.
Lifespan:
Black Ghost Knife Fishes can live for up to 15 years in captivity but if they are given good care then they may live longer.
Description:
It is distinguished from other knife fish by the white and black banded area on the caudal puduncle. It also differs from the Brown Ghost Knife Fish because of its shorter snout, and the Brown Ghost has only one small white band close to the end of its tail.
Sexing:
Unknown.
Acclimation:
Place the bag with the fish inside it in the water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes open the bag and let it float in the water, adding about half a cup-full of water from your aquarium into the bag every 5 minutes. After about 20-30 minutes, allow your Black Ghost Knife Fish to enter into your aquarium. Make sure that you don't put a lot of water from the bag into your aquarium while getting your Black Ghost out of the bag.
Breeding:
Black Ghost Knife Fish have been known to breed but the methods used are unknown to most.
My personal experience:
I have had a black ghost for almost 6 months now and I have to say that the Black Ghost Knife Fish is one of the best fish you can possibly buy for your aquarium! Although it is large in size and may not come out and swim all around the tank a lot, when you do see it out, its wonderful fin movement when it swims is inspiring to watch! Personally, I let my Black Ghost just come up to the top of the tank (when it always does) to get food, but soon I may try to hand-feed it - and so if you do get one you can always try that too! But honestly, if you are considering getting a Black Ghost Knife Fish and have done all of the research on it, I say go for it! You won't be disappointed.
Sources:
Black Ghost Knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons, Black Ghost Fish Guide
Photos:
Unfortunately I don't have any good photos on my computer so I can't upload them just now. However, a quick google search will do the trick!
The Black Ghost KnifeFish (Scientific Name: Apteronotus Albifrons) or as some may refer to it as, Black Ghost, is a tropical freshwater fish which can be kept in aquariums. Its scientific genus is Apteronotus and it is a member of the Oddball Fish Family (other oddball fish include Elephant-Nose Fish, Clown Knife, etc). The Black Ghost Knife Fish originates from South America, Amazon basin, Peru and Venezuela to Paraquay in the Parana River.
Temperment:
Black Ghost Knife Fish are nocturnal in nature and so you won't see much activity from them during the day. They can be shy, often staying in the one place for many hours at a time. However, they can also be agressive with other fish, particularly smaller fish than itself, and therefore when you are considering keeping this species it is essential to ensure that your other tankmates are big enough not to get eaten by the Black Ghost.
Diet and Feeding:
Black Ghost Knife Fishes are generally Carnivores and will accept live food as well as freeze dried/frozen food. They will generally not accept flake food. They should be fed one or twice a day (although feeding them twice is recommended because it will get them used to coming out more).
Care:
Black Ghost Knife Fish do not need a lot of specific special care, however they can be hard for some aquarists to look after. There are a few things to consider, however:
- Consider purchasing a "Ghost Tube" along with your Black Ghost. A ghost tube is simply a piece of plastic tubing to put in your tank and your Black Ghost Knife Fish will utilize it fully by staying in it for many hours per day. These ghost tubes are generally available across most Local Fish Stores.
- Although it may appear clumsy when swimming around your aquarium, it has a built in ‘radar’ system (due to its very weak vision) that uses low voltage electricity to help it navigate. Therefore, your Black Ghost may bump into other fish without realising that it is indeed a fish.
- Be sure not to keep a Black Ghost Knife Fish with any other electrical fish for long periods of time (an example of such fish is an Elephant-Nosed Fish) because this can cause both of their signals to interfere with each other and ultimately may weaken your Black Ghost's immune system.
Water Conditions:
The Black Ghost Knife Fish prefers a pH of 6-8 and a temperature of 73.0 to 82.0° F (22.8 to 27.8° C). Hardness of the water should ideally be from 5 - 19 dGH.
Potential Size and Water Region of the Fish:
This fish can reach a huge size; up to over 50cm in a lot of cases. Therefore, it is essential that your Black Ghost is kept in a tank size of at least 75 gallons. The water region that this fish swims in is generally at the lower levels of the aquarium; only coming up to the top for food.
Lifespan:
Black Ghost Knife Fishes can live for up to 15 years in captivity but if they are given good care then they may live longer.
Description:
It is distinguished from other knife fish by the white and black banded area on the caudal puduncle. It also differs from the Brown Ghost Knife Fish because of its shorter snout, and the Brown Ghost has only one small white band close to the end of its tail.
Sexing:
Unknown.
Acclimation:
Place the bag with the fish inside it in the water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes open the bag and let it float in the water, adding about half a cup-full of water from your aquarium into the bag every 5 minutes. After about 20-30 minutes, allow your Black Ghost Knife Fish to enter into your aquarium. Make sure that you don't put a lot of water from the bag into your aquarium while getting your Black Ghost out of the bag.
Breeding:
Black Ghost Knife Fish have been known to breed but the methods used are unknown to most.
My personal experience:
I have had a black ghost for almost 6 months now and I have to say that the Black Ghost Knife Fish is one of the best fish you can possibly buy for your aquarium! Although it is large in size and may not come out and swim all around the tank a lot, when you do see it out, its wonderful fin movement when it swims is inspiring to watch! Personally, I let my Black Ghost just come up to the top of the tank (when it always does) to get food, but soon I may try to hand-feed it - and so if you do get one you can always try that too! But honestly, if you are considering getting a Black Ghost Knife Fish and have done all of the research on it, I say go for it! You won't be disappointed.
Sources:
Black Ghost Knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons, Black Ghost Fish Guide
Photos:
Unfortunately I don't have any good photos on my computer so I can't upload them just now. However, a quick google search will do the trick!
