Black ghost knife fish?
Oct 05, 2007 by Scarlet Rose | Posted in Fish
Hi there,
I saw your wonderful contribution on Black Ghost Knives (bgk) and I was hoping you could lend a hand me too!
I bought the bgk from a pet store on the pretence that it could live happily in a 10litre fish bowl, with no extras except for one embroider.
I have since learned that is not possible.... Anger and frustration (directed at the person who sold it to me) aside, I have since bought a tank which is 36cm x 50cm x 124cm (approx 223 litres or approx 60 gallons) and want to fabricate the best environment for my bgk (which I’ve named ‘Black Beauty’ because of his personality and white diamond slash on this forehead).
For example, the best ph level is between 6-8 apparently, but I need to know everything else. I have done check out but it varies a lot between sites and wanted to get some advice from people who actually own and successfully keep bgk’s.
continued.....
Suggestion on plants, soil, ornaments, lights, food, water temp and ph levels and other things (identified with to bgk’s) I need to know would be great.
Also, fish that will live in the bgk’s environment... Yes, the little freshwater everyone will revolve around him and no other, so I’d prefer to find him friends that will play nice and live happily in his environment.
If interested here are details of my going round equipment, which I plan to use for little Black Beauty as soon as I know how to set it up properly.
- Tank -36cm x 50cm x 124cm (approx 223 litres or approx 60 gallons)
- 'Auquavital AVC 1200 Canister riddle'
- 'Auquavital AVP 6500 air pump'
- 10 kg gravel – natural off-white/grey stones
- Under-gravel airstone (120cm)
- Tank sits on stage and is covered with a hood
- 2 x hollow ornaments for hiding places (each H35cm, W15cm, D11cm)
- Glass cleaning magnet
- Gravel vacuum
- H temp thermometer
- Jebo ‘Digi-therm’ heater 2010 (200watt)
continued......
- Twin uv indistinct tubes (1 x tri-power light, 1 x super light)
- Sera ‘Vipagran’ granulated fish nutriment
- Test kits (1 xWardley Senior deluxe pH test kit for freshwater, 3 x 15ml Sera Amonia ,NH4 and NH3 prove kit)
- Chemicals (1 x 100ml Sera ‘aqutan’ water conditioner, 1 x 237ml API ‘Ammolock’ ammonia detoxifier – breaks ammonia down for bio sieve, 1 x 500ml Aqua master water ager tap water conditioner, 1 x 250ml Seachem Perseverance stabilising system, 1 x 300ml Seachem ‘prime’ removes chlorine, chlormine, ammonia and provides slim paint)
If I haven’t listed it, you can assume I don’t have it. If you I don’t have something you think is important, please tell me... Along with details etc.
I have books that distinguish me how to set up a freshwater system, but I need info specifically for bgk’s.
If you have knowledge on how to do this or know of any sites that provide info you would use for your bgk please leak me :)
Thanks so much for any help :)
I've kept these wonderful fish for almost all my pastime and from experience drift wood and caves with some plants is always the best. As for tank mates most non-bellicose passive fish, you don't want fish that also like caves like plecos or anything or you will find them fighting for the surrender.
You pretty much have all the basics covered, theres no specialty to this fish, if you want to see him more often you can lean a murkiness slate on the front of the glass from inside and the ghost knife will hide in front of it giving you a clear upon of it.
BTW if you ever think you BGK is lonely and want to buy another one, don't they will end up fighting to the death.
and you can keep it in the 60g, they typically grow 12"~~ It's very rare to see one bigger than that, so there is mess of room for passive tank mates.
DeW the deR | Oct 06, 2007
I will start out by saying that I have never owned a bgk though I do value they are fascinating, so I cannot speak from personal experience, however, I do know a few things about FW fish in general and I will say that from the looks of your gear and intentions you are certainly on the right track.
One thing I did notice though, is how many chemicals you are putting in your tank. I have several FW tanks and have only ever toughened "Stress Coat" as a water conditioner and slime coat aid in one, and "Rotate" for a beneficial bacteria boost during water changes. I really do not feel that those other chemicals are neccessary and can issue more harm than good, like the ammo-lock for one. Have you cycled the tank yet? If not do you have any other tanks that have been meet for a while, or just the bowl? If so you can use some of the gravel from an already established tank, or some filter media to help go the cycling process. If not, maybe you have a friend that does or you could ask the fish store for a boost from one of their tanks and line out something with them. Chemicals like ammo-lock can back-fire on you over time, along with pH changing chemicals so you are better off leaving those out and using only a dechlorinator and a proper bacterial boost.
As far as compatibility with other fish goes, the fish you put with them must be large enough to not become a meal for the bgk but unruffled enough that it will not harrass the bgk. I have heard of bichirs doing well with them as well as 4-5 inch American cichlids, angel fish, horse around loaches, supposedly almost any fish of similar size and moderately peaceful temperament does well with them. I have also present that some fish have not done so well with them, smaller fish of course, but also silver dollars, plecos, and other catfish have not been so lucky.
Just be sure to provide your bgk with hiding places like PVC pipe and some plants and rocks, or bent pieces of slate and such. They are nocturnal and don't participate too much in any social structure with other fish. Of course they also get a kick plenty of live foods and can be trained to eat out of your hand.
Here are a few links I like about the bgks and other fish that I suggested as acceptable tank mates:
Black Ghost knife:
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Knife,%20Black%20Ghost.htm
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/make the most of66.html
Bichirs (Senegal, and Ornate):
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile41.html
http://www.liveaquaria.com/effect/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=861
Clown Loach:
http://www.loaches.com/species-catalogue/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Betray.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=873
Angels:
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Freshwater_Angel_Fish
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwangelfishes.htm
S. American Cichlids:
http://www.peteducation.com/listing_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1956
http://www.versaquatics.com/southamericancichlids.htm
EDIT: Contrary to the last answerer, bgks do ooze an electric pulse but it is only a way that they find food and is not actualy harmful to other fish unless the other fish also puts out an electrical bruited about, then it may be somewhat harmful, which is why it is not good to keep bgks with other electrical fish such as elephant noses: http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Elephant%20Nose..htm or other wound fish. It does not mean that you cannot keep them successfully with other fish.
Your tank size is excellent. You may consider upgrading when your bgk is much larger if you are able to, but 60 gallons is not too small for them, though it is on the smaller end of correct. Typicaly a bare minumum of 50 gallons is recomended.
Ash | Oct 05, 2007
What Book Should I Read?
Aug 03, 2009 by Nicole.Scenic.Eyes | Posted in Books & Authors
I'm bored, and honestly want to read a book. So here's a list of books that I have. You can pick more than one of you want. Thanks a bracket gather!
The List::
A)
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
A Crowing Mercy by Bernard Cornwell and Susannah Kells
A Dog Called Collection by Bill Wallace
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Almost Home by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Anne of the Key by L. M. Montgomery
Animal Ark Series by Various Artists)
Cub in a Cupboard
Beagle in a Backpack
Foals in the Area
Horse in the House
Pony in a Package
Racehorse in the Rain
Sheepdog in the Snow
Animorphs: The Unexplored by K. A. Applegate
Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer (??)
Artemis Fowl: The Everlastingness Code by Eoin Colfer
B)
Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Best Man to Wed? by Penny Jordan (My Mom's. Please don't pick this. I beg of you)
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Blindfold Beauty by K.M.Peyton
Bluford Series) by Various Authors
Lost and Found
A Matter of Trust
Secrets in the Shadows
Someone to Inclination Me
The Bully
The Gun Until We Meet Again
Blood is Thicker
Brothers in Arms
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
C)
Caleb's Excuse by Patricia MacLachlan
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul by Diversified Authors
Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom:Demons Are Forever by Julie Kenner
Copper by Rebecca Lisle
D)
Unlit Materials Series by Phillip Pullman)
The Golden Compass
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass
Weighty Down Popular by Phoebe Stone
Deep Freeze by Diane Muldrow
Desert At a bargain price a fuss by Angela Dorsey
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Dolphin Diaries: Into the Indecent by Ben M. Baglio
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Dreamer by Cathy Hapka
E)
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Eli's Ghost by Betsy Hearne
Emma and Freckles by Valerie Beales
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
F)
Agronomist Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Fright Time Series by Various Authors)
Put the wind up someone Time #7
Fright Time #8
Fright Time #9
Fright Time #10
Fright At the same time #11
Fright Time #12
From a Buick 8 by Stephen King
G)
Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost! By Cornelia Funke
Give me Impropriety by L. M. Elliott
H)
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Around and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Monkey about and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry About and the Deathly Hollows
Helen Keller: The Story of my Life by Helen Keller
Succour! I'm Trapped in Obedience School by Todd Strasser
His Cousin's Wife by Lynsey Stevens (Again one of my mom's. Please don't.)
Hoofbeats: Katie and the Mustang: Engage Four by Kathleen Duey
I)
Ice Fire by Chris D'Lacey
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Question with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
J)
John Deere Blacksmith Boy by Margaret In the altogether
Julep O'Toole: Confessions of a Middle Child by Trudi Trueit
L)
Leftovers by Laura Wiess
Do as one is told by Stephanie S. Tolan
Look Away by Harold Coyle
Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan
Lunch Percentage by Andrew Clements
M)
Marvelous Marvin and the Wolfman Mystery by Bonnie Pryor
McGrowl: Be cautious of Dog by Rob Balaban
Misty and Me by Barbara Girion
N)
Never Mind by Avi and Rachel Vail
No Dogs Allowed! By Bill Wallace
Nothing But The Really by Avi
P)
Phantom Stallion: Firefly by Terri Farley
Pirates of the Caribbean Series by Disney)
Damnation of the Black Pearl
Dead Man's Chest
Pick of the Litter by Bill Wallace
Pony Pals Series by Jeanne Betancourt)
#1. I Impecuniousness a Pony
#2. A Pony for Keeps
#3. A Pony in Trouble
#4. Give me Back my Pony
#5. Pony to the Rescue
#6. Too Many Ponies
#7. Escapee Pony
#8. Goodbye Pony
#10. Don't Hurt my Pony
#11. Circus Pony
#27 The Pony and the Missing Dog
Wonderful Special #1. The Baby Pony
Super Special #2. The Story of Our Ponies
R)
Reba:My Fortunes by Reba McEntire with Tom Carter
Rebel Hart by Edith Morris Hemingway and Jacquelin Cosgrove Sheilds
Race With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (Just finished it, so I'd rather not read it)
S)
Salem's Lot by Stephen Prince
Sandy Lane Stables: Dream Pony by Susannah Leigh
Secrets in the Attic by V. C. Andrews
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed by Warner Bros. Studios
Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan
Some Fellow by Sally Warner
Somebody Else's Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Stuart Insufficient by E. B. White
Supply of Heroes by James Carroll
T)
The Academy by Ed Ruggero
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Object Twain
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Christmas Pony by Sylvia Green
The Profound is Rising by Susan Cooper
The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey
The Ghost in the Mirror by Margaret J. Anderson
The Splendid Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Horseshoe Trilogies: Keeping Faith by Lucy Daniels
The Horsesho
Aw it lovely off. Not sure where but here.
lol.
The Horseshoe Trilogies: Keeping Faith by Lucy Daniels
The Horseshoe Trilogies: Icky fond of Charity by Lucy Daniels
The Midnight Library:End Game by Damien Graves
The One Nautical port Behind by Willo David Roberts
The Pirate and the Princess: The Timelight Stone by Mio Chizuru
The Red Badge of Grit by Stephan Crane
The Return of the Indian by Lynne Reid Banks
The Saddle Join forces: Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Affair Language of Girls by Frances O'Roark Dowell
The Tales of Animal Heroes by Allan Zullo
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. Ashen
The Unicorn Chronicles: Into the Land of Unicorns by Bruce Coville
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Unconstrained Baum
Thirsty by M. T. Anderson
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Crepuscular Series by Stephanie Meyer)
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn (Can't Decipher. It's at my mom's. lol)
U)
Under the Jolly Roger by L.A.Meyer
Unicorns of Balinor: The Road to Balinor by Mary Stanton
W)
Wanted...Mud Blossom by Betsy Byars
Cadaverous Fang by Jack London
White Star: A Dog on the Titanic by Marty Crisp
Winter's Fringe by Anne Stuart
Who Stole Halloween? by Martha Freeman
X)
X-Men, Messiah Complex by Heterogeneous Authors
Yay. The end!!
Yepp. The Harry Potter series rocks!!!!!
You've got a lot of excessive books listed. But were I to reach for a book off your shelf, it would be "Anne of The Island" by L. M. Montgomery. I've always loved that series and I'm satisfied that you will too if you've never read any of the books before.
rejoycevermore | Aug 03, 2009
Beautiful Colt pocket knife black Bone handle very nice gift knife 
: $149.99 
