Multiple Black Ghost Knife fish

Hi everyone,

I recently ordered a new bigger aquarium. Dimensions 200 x 60 x 60. Issue is I recently baught 5 black ghost knifes. As I've now learned they actually don't want more than one of them in the same tank. I was misinformed by reputable LFS that they would swim in a group if you get more than two. Thus far no fighting, but the one is out growing the others rapidly. I'll have to get rid of my old tank. Should I only keep one and let the other 4 go? They get big as well. Tank mates are Clown loaches, Polkadot loaches. Silver Dollars, Rosy barbs and two Angels and 30cm Highfin Pleco.

 

Yes, they get big, up to 50cm, and become aggressive to their own kind, keep one, return the others to the lfs demand your cash back, tell them to get on top of their game and stop giving rubbish advice. There are numerous sites that advise against keeping more than one in a tank, this applies to pretty much every type of knife fish.
Do your own research as the advice given out by most lfs is to ensure a sale, no regard to the wellbeing of the fish or the fish keepers setup and ability to keep such fish.
With all the resources available it is unacceptable that you should be at the receiving end of such nonsense, change your lfs.

 

Great fish to keep! Agreed - keep one and return the others, and give the LFS hell!

 

Thanks for the advice, that was my feeling as well.

I'll have to completely empty the tank I have now as the new one will go in it's place, so better sooner than later although the new tank will only be done in about 6 weeks.

I stocked the tank with a lot of hiding spots, so catching them will be near impossible.

I'll try and get the motivation to do it this weekend then.

 

On the topic of the electric fields. For this reason you can't put them with elephant nose either, I think. Read that somewhere.

 

Also read about it @MattLamm. Better to do your own research and not go on their expert "opinions". Asked him twice if his sure about this. Luckily I have the sales guys cell number.

 

Nor can you have the so called "baby whale" brienomyrus Brachyistius, or the "elephant nose" gnahonemus peters together or with black ghost knives.

 

I'm sorry, I cannot agree with this, keeping multiple bgk in the same tank was bad advice, period. Whoever offered the advice that "more is better" in the case with bgk clearly knows little/nothing on how these fish are meant to be kept.
Different story when it comes to african cichlids, angels, or certain species of barbs, etc but you cannot generalise to this extent.

 

I've messaged the guy who helped me and I presume the owner and send a link to this thread. No replies.

 

The LFS agreed that I can take back the other 4 Ghosts. I was thinking about this. They do have really nice fish and some comments may have been unfair. I just want happy fish in my tank.

 

So I removed the other 4 ghosts over the weekend. There's defenitely a positive behaviour difference to be seen in the remaining one. Much more active and hiding a lot less! Gonna return the rest tomorrow.

 

Defenitely the last time I'll spend 1c of my money at LFS or reffer anyone to them! No way to treat clients.

 

? What happened

 

Basically had to go and sit in the "principles" office having too explain why I insulted the LFS online. And that I'm not allowed to ask for any advice from anyone at the LFS again. Apparently everyone is aware of which LFS I'm reffering too. Just kept chipping in when I told the owner that it was never my intention and I was just seeking advice and I not once referred to them by name. Oh well not my loss. There are many reputable companies out there with excellent stock and experience.

 

I don't know who it is nor do I care to know. Always amazes me when people give bad service and they get taken to task they actually become offended, and it becomes the customers fault. You can always post on sites like hellopeter, or the like, then they can defend themselves in public.
Best to do, like you have done, is to vote with your wallet and don't support them. One day, on reflection, once all their customers have left, the realization the the "customer is king" may dawn on them - but probably not.

 

Oh no please don't be mistaken, apparently the advice was perfectly sound @Jwh, the advice coming from here has absolutely no merrit from a bunch of no bodies and is derived from practical knowledge and not from experience. It is perfectly fine to have 5 dependant on tank size of 1.2m. Oh yeah money isn't the reason for the business, so my money is no good anyways. Just glad I returned them and it's done with.