Black Ghost Knife
One of the most unique and attractive
community fish available today is the magnificent Black Ghost Knife. These majestic animals hover using a wave like motion just above the aquarium substrate and have a unique ability to swim both forwards and backwards.
Originating in South America, where they
inhabit the Amazon River basin, Black Ghost Knives can be found in fast moving rivers and streams with sandy bottoms. In the wild, Black Ghost Knives are nocturnal and feed on insect larvae during the night.
In the aquarium, due to its sensitivity to light, generally a Black Ghost Knife will seek refuge in some rocks, driftwood, amongst plants or even a piece of PVC pipe if provided. They are carnivores and will readily accept frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp. Occasionally we come across a Ghost Knife that will accept flake food, but this a rare find.
Black Ghost Knives grow to a large
size - up to 60cm has been recorded - but more commonly will grow around 40cm. For this reason it is strongly suggested an aquarium of around 300 litres be considered.
Surprisingly, even a large sized Black Ghost Knife feature a peaceful temperament. However it is recommended that larger specimens are not kept with fish small enough to fit in their mouths as when the lights are off as this fish becomes predatory in the dark. In a smaller tank, it is not recommended that Black Ghost Knives be kept in the same tank as they will show aggressiveness to one another.
Ghost Knives are a scale-less fish that will be very sensitive to medications. Care should be taken - and it is strongly suggested that no more than half the recommended dose be allowed when medicating is necessary - particularly with copper-based medications.
Breeding in an aquarium has been reported, these were two very large specimens, however generally breeding is difficult. Black Ghost Knives are bred readily in Asia on farms - but to achieve these results the animals are commonly injected with hormones to induce spawning.
They remain extremely difficult to sex, some sketchy suggestions to determining the sex include..
- A male may a head shaped a bit like a horse
- A male may feature a thicker line down its back, the female obviously a thinner line
- A female may be thicker through the body
- Someone even suggested they might change sex !!
So your guess is as good as mine but if you take any value out of any of the above suggestions, or can add to them, I'd love to hear from you !!
Black Ghost Knives emit an electrical current that they use to navigate and hunt for food. Don't panic - it is not anything that will ever affect you and the charge would never be noticed.
An Albino variety - aptly named the "White Ghost Knife" is also sometimes available.
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