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FRESH WATER - Vertebrate - Miscellaneous

Black Ghost Knifefish Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) Linnaeus, 1766







	region of origin

  Family:  Apteronotidae
  Maximum Size:  18.0 inches
  Temperament:  Semi-Aggressive
  Stamina:  Moderately Hardy

  Activity:  Night / Nocturnal
  Tank Area Preference:   Lower Tank Area

  Captive Breeding:  Unreported
  Sexual Differences:  None Specified

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notes

The Black Ghost Knifefish will hide most of the time if the lights are too bright on the aquarium. Placing a tube, about the same length as your specimen, in the aquarium will provide a very reassuring location for them to get acclimated to their new home.

overview

The Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) belongs to the family named Apteronotidae. Typically reaching a max size of about 18.0 inches in length, the Black Ghost Knifefish is semi-aggressive in nature and moderately hardy in stamina. It's more active during the evening hours or at night and less so during the day, and will hang out or do best in the lower tank area. According to FishDB current data, captive breeding success is unreported and there are no external signs of sexual differences. Apteronotus albifrons should not be housed in a tank less than 55 gallons in sizeand in general should have low (2 watts/gallon) light to thrive. Tank parameters should be maintained with ph level between 6.5 - 7.0, temperature between 73 - 80 degrees fahrenheit, Some of the environmental concerns that you should strive to replicate in your home aquaria to promote succesful acclimation include plenty of hiding places, a mixed substrate, and dim lighting.

additional commentary

Posted by saylord3 on August 03 2009

post rating ( votes)

I find that my Black Ghost Knife is partially active during the day. You can see him fluttering in the cave I have set up to him. However, from personal experience, he is very finicky on food. He only accepts blackworms. From what I also understand, BGK are blind, and send out a sonar wave (though I am not sure the technical term for ) to observe their surroundings, almost like a submarine, or how a bat uses a radar. VERY interesting fish.