Mainly Black Ghost Knife questions
Hi and thank you WetWeb staff,
My fish are doing great, after a very scary introduction. No one died and
having been doing great (refer to suddenly stocked tank on WetWeb). Well
just a few questions, if I may. But for reference I have a 55gal with
Emperor 400, heater, etc., lots of (fake) plants, semi- fine (1/8" or smaller)
substrate, a few rocks of different shapes making caves, heated to 80F, 7.8 PH,
all levels great.
a 8" BGK <Black Ghost Knife>
a Pleco 6"
2- Blue Gourami (or Opaline Gourami not to sure because they have changed colors
since I got the new one) a 4" and 2".
a tiger barb 1.5"
a clown loach 1.5"(just got him)
a zebra loach 1.5"
a ????? frog .75"
I feed my fish a very wide variety of foods on a change by day basis. My
BGK has always been black and yellow I researched why because what I had seen
was they should be white, I think on your site I was reading that some
BGK are of a yellow variation.
<Yes. this is so>
Well my question is since I got mine a month and a half ago, he has started to
turn whitish starting at the bands on his tail? I don't know why, I know that
where he came from he was poorly fed and in a bad environment. Well Are there
yellow variations or not (just mistreated BGK)?
<The white/yellow markings do change with diet, water quality>
My next question(s) is. I now have 2 blue Gouramis how long will it be
before they will reach sexual maturity?,
<A few months>
I know they're bubble nest builders but have never seen them do this. I have
lots of plants. is it a comfort level or something?
<In part... also, the motion in the waters surface, the presence of other
fishes>
they seem to be very happy, the most aggressive feeders in my tank (other than
the BGK at night). what I'm getting at is if they will\can breed?
<Doubtful, unless given a calm, warm setting... on their own>
I cant find anything on sexing them so I don't know.
<Search the Net, books... not hard to discern if of size, maturity>
and at the same time can my loaches possibly breed?
<Can, but rare... they do get BIG (a foot or so)...>
They are inseparable. I would also like to get 1 or 2 Bala sharks (I am
going to be getting a new 125gal in September and plan a move) will they get
along with what is in my tank? What else is a possibility for moving fish?
Thank you all for the site and personal help, James
<Yes, and many choices. Bob Fenner>
Breeding black ghost knives
I have recently gotten interested in the BGK. When I'm interested I read
every possible thing I can find, <Great>I have just read your section with the
questions and answers for the people with the BGK (very knowledgeable and
interesting by the way) <Thank You> and I noticed that not many people know
about breeding these wonderful creatures. Well I looked and looked and it seems
these people got it down. They even give tips to show the difference between
males and females. Just thought you would like to read the page in your quest to
help other people. It is very helpful. The site is:
http://blackghostknife.tk/ I am thinking about breeding and this site is
very helpful.
Thanks,
Steven Bertinato
<Thanks for sharing. Don>
Black Ghost Knifefish production?
Word on the internet is that the Black Ghost fish (Apteronotus Albifrons) is
being bred in Australia and Malaysia...any information on how its being done?
Thank You,
Richard Davidson
<Very interesting. Do know that other Apteronotids have been bred, raised in
captivity (for science). Have not heard that this species was being produced
commercially. Will be sure and check at the upcoming (May/June) Aquarama show in
Singapore re. Bob Fenner>
Breeding black ghost knife fish?
Hi. I was wondering if you could help me out on how I can tell the sex of my
black ghost knife fish, and how to get them to breeding.
<It's almost impossible to distinguish male from female in this species. Captive
breeding has been accomplished in Australia, but details are sketchy. You might
try keeping the pair in a very large tank, feeding them only the best of foods,
and then see what happens.... That's about all I can suggest. Best of luck with
this endeavor, and do keep a log so you can write up and publish an article when
you're successful! --Ananda>
