BLACK GHOST KNIFE FISH
Apteronotus albifrons
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
This amazing fish is jet black with white markings. It is elongated and has an eel tail. Has pectoral fins and an anal fin but no other fins.
SIZE
Up to 50 cm.
INTERESTING FACTS
The Black ghost is an electric fish,
It has a built in radar and navigates using it, and
They can swim backwards just as well as they can swim forwards.
APPEAL
The Black ghost is absolutely gorgeous. The way that it moves is almost supernatural. Can be trained to take food from the hand.
AVAILABILITY
Usually available from aquarium retailers but tends to be expensive.
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Image from Da Fish Dude - Black ghost knife fish! This image clearly shows the rippling anal fin that the fish uses to propel itself. |
MAINTENANCE OF CAPTIVE SPECIMENS
SUITABILITY FOR KEEPING IN CAPTIVITY
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Advantages: Happy in a standard aquarium (120 cm or more). Can be territorial bur rarely will harass other fish. Easy to feed but must be fed at night. Happy in a tropical tank. Does not disturb plants. |
Disadvantages: Grows to a large size. Cannot be kept with other members of its own species. Is very sensitive to harassment. Only eats meat and fish. Can be sensitive to water quality. |
Suitable only for experienced fish keepers.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
| Minimum aquarium size: | 120 cm X 40 cm. |
| Water temperature: | 25 C. |
| Water salinity: | Freshwater only. |
| Filtration & oxygenation: | Water needs to be kept very clean and well oxygenated. Try and keep the current fairly low as this fish comes from slow moving waters. |
| Lighting: | Not critical, a coloured night light may be useful for viewing this nocturnal fish. |
| Plants: | I recommend heavy planting to subdue the lighting by day. Plants are also good for water quality. |
| Furnishings: | A suitable dark cave is critical to this fish's survival. |
| Notes: |
AQUARIUM BEHAVIOR
By day this fish resides in a cave and generally stays out of sight. At night it patrols the aquarium hunting for food.
HOW TO SEE YOUR FISH
After 9pm or so, set a piece of blue cellophane under your aquarium light and darken the room. If you have darkened the tank enough then the fish will soon come out of hiding and start hunting. Because the fish is black, the blue light does not make any difference to it's appearance.
FEEDING HABITS
At night the Black ghost will happily take frozen blood worm from the substrate. I place the food in the vicinity of it's cave during the day and it will usually eat then too.
FISH KEEPING RECOMMENDATIONS
The black ghost is a difficult fish to keep. I have managed to lose two of them. Keep their water quality up to a high standard and don't crowed them in with other fish if you can help it. Make sure there us a darkened cave of a suitable size for the fish to hide in by day. Black ghosts cannot be kept in groups because their navigational radar's interfere with each other.
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Image from Da Fish Dude - Black ghost knife fish! This is a feeding posture. |
OUR FISH
SPECIMEN DETAILS
I currently keep one young fish.
USEFUL LINKS
Da Fish Dude - Black ghost knife fish!
Has basic fish facts sheet and some excellent images.
Contains a detailed beginners guide to caring for the black ghost in captivity,, along with images and other stuff.
Kevin Thurston's collection of aquarium fish pictures - Black ghost knife fish image
A great closeup of a large knife fish
The age of Aquariums - Black ghost page
Contains a nice image and a lot of comments from users
Created by Alexander and Elisabeth Foreman.
Page constructed by Alexander Foreman.
Copywrite (c) Alexander Foreman
