Black Ghost Knife Fish - compatibility?

I have a BGK (Black Ghost Knife Fish) and was unaware that they grow quite large. I now have to upgrade my system as I don't want to get rid of him. I would love to keep Barbs once I have upgraded but have been told that this is not possible as they will not get on with my BGK!! :notrust: Any opinions/ideas on this would be appreciated. Also, what tank size is the best considering the BGK will be a part of my set up?

 

hi, u can keep them with any non agressive fish that wont fit in their mouth. I think tiger barbs should be fine except they may fin nip? I keep my bgk with discus, dwarf cichlids and ottocinculus. Got him to eat flakes and tetra bits...some will only eat live or frozen foods. My buddy keeps his bgk with an oscar, silver dollars and a pleco...all large. Do a google search for bgk tankmates.

 

IMO, barbs are a bit too lively, and in some cases, too boisterous and aggressive to keep with the BGK. Rather stick to calmer species - smaller plecos and bristlenoses, large-bodied tetras, discus, bigger livebearers, gouramis etc.

 

Ive seen my friend keep his BGK with angels, bala's and rosaline sharks.

 

I have a 30 cm BGK in with an Oscar, Green Terror, Texas Ch, Fire Mouth ,Clown loaches , 35 cm Fire Eel and a 30 cm Bichir and have no issues. BGK has its own corner in the tank and other tank mates dont bother him, actually a very peaceful crature just don't like others poking around near its cave opening. Loves shrimp and eats like a daemon. Was very skeptical with the combination of tank mates but after a week of chasing each other around territories got establish and it turned into a peaceful tank.

 

Blom how big is your tank?

 

850 liters with 3 canisters and 2 internal filters and soon to be 190 liter sump -------you can never over filter

 

Ok awesome i was just abit worried cause i didnt know you had a huge tank and had such big fish, i agree with the never over filtering

 

Thanks sooo much for the info...:huh: Now I see I have a rather BIG tank upgrade ahead.... Looking forward to it!!!! Will keep you all informed of my progress!!

By the way..... any constructive ideas are welcome!!!!! :blink1:

 

hi there , i have a 20cm bgk and he is an absolute charm. i have had him with barbs and a 20cm polyepturus. no problems at all as long as he had his cave which i constructed with driftwood. he lazes during the day and is very active during the evenings and at night. the barbs never went near the cave and he would just hush of any inquiring tank mates. i feed him flakes and pellets with blood worms in between. it all comes down to tank layout. I have since remove the polyepturus. i also agree, as long as nothing is small enough to fit in its mouth, it will not be eaten.

a quick question with all bgk owners, did any one research breeding of this species? any tips will be highly appreciated!!

regards
ashman

 

Download this Fish Compatability chart and keep it handy.
http://www.slojo.co.za/aquarium.html

Then click on the link that says Fish Compatability chart.

HTH.

 

Thanks Ashman. I heard that someone in Australia is the only one that has managed to breed them in captivity. Don't know enough about them yet but really eager to find out as much as I can!! :smile:

 

Thanks so much for the e-book download!!!! I am in the process of upgrading from my smaller tank and the info in this e-book is going to help me so much.....:bigsmile: