Black ghost knife fish

The Black ghost knifefish is a nocturnal, freshwater fish from South America known for its striking black body and ethereal, eel-like appearance. It uses a weak electrical field to navigate and find food, and can grow over a foot long, requiring a large aquarium with plenty of hiding spots. They are carnivores that eat a variety of meaty foods and can be semi-aggressive, so they should be housed with similar-sized, peaceful tank mates.

Care and habitat

• Tank size: A minimum of 150 gallons is recommended for a fully grown adult.

• Tank setup: Provide a sandy substrate, driftwood, rocks, and plants to create plenty of hiding places. They prefer dimly lit aquariums.

• Filtration: Powerful filtration is necessary, and they are sensitive to stray voltage.

• Water parameters: Maintain water temperatures between 74-80°F (23-27°C).

Diet

• Carnivorous: They are carnivores and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods.

• Food types: Offer frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mysis shrimp, as well as high-quality sinking pellets or flakes.

Temperament and tank mates

• Temperament: They are generally timid and reclusive but can be semi-aggressive and may bully smaller fish.

• Tank mates: House them with other large, peaceful species. Avoid keeping them with small fish that they could eat, such as neon tetras.

Interesting facts

• Electrosensory system: They have a weak electrical organ that they use for electro-location, navigation, and communication.

• Nocturnal: They are most active at night and will spend the day hiding.