Apteronotus albifrons
| Common Names: | Black Ghost Black Ghost Knifefish Black Knife |
| Synonyms: | Gymnotus albifrons Sternarchus albifrons |
| Family: | Apteronotidae |
| Category: | OthersFW |
| Distribution: | America - South; Amazon |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; River |
| Temperament: | Reclusive; Sometimes aggressive, but generally inoffensive and very shy. |
| Diet: | Carnivore; Carnivore |
| Care: | Feed with small flakes and small live fish. Should also be fed with bloodworms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp, beefheart, and krill. Add plants. The Black Ghost Knifefish is timid and nocturnal. Can be kept with large, peacful fish. A large tank is needed. Supplimental feeding after "lights out" is required as the Black Ghost Knifefish is nocturnal and primarily feeds at night. If only fed during daylight hours other fish may eat the BGK's share also. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 50cm (19.7") Female: 50cm (19.7") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; Bottom |
| Activity: | Nocturnal; Nocturnal |
| Gender: | Cannot be determined from external features. |
| Breeding: | The black ghost knife fish is being bred successfully in Brisbane Queensland Australia and has been commercially bred in Asia. Not likely accomplished in the home aquarium. |
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| Comments: | The Black Ghost Knifefish possesses a weak electrical organ at the caudal peduncles which is used to locate food. It is considered a true bony fish. Grows slowly and lives for more than 15 years. To better appreciate this fish, many hobbyists will purchase a "ghost tube," a clear plastic tube that facilitates viewing during the day. Once accustomed to its surroundings, the Black Ghost Knifefish can become incredibly tame and will hand feed willingly in many cases. This fish is extremely sensitive to medications including copper and many of the more effective ich cures. Care should be taken to treat this fish with suitable meds. Most of the formulas permitted for use with clown loaches will suffice for knifefish. For this reason their inclusion into general community where higher disease levels often occur is better avoided. Better kept in a species tank if possible, especially under circumstances where a prospective keeper may not know a great deal about fish medications. UV sterilizers are a very useful addition to any knifefish aquarium, helping to prevent many diseases they simply cannot be saved from otherwise. |
| Main Colours: | Black, White |
| Markings: | Striped And Spotted |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Convex |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | Adam |
| Contributors: | bettachris, longhairedgit, Gaia, skystrife |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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