African Knifefish Problem.

S

SpunkyCadaver

AC Members
Dec 6, 2002
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shade.cit.cornell.edu
Ok I have an established aquarium with an african knifefish and a pair of corys. It'd have more but I've been too broke to expend on extra fish lately (finishing my BA and all, almost done).

Well I got a little extra cash, and I decided to pick up another african knife because I'd read they do better in pairs. Well the ones I saw at the LFS were quite large and mine is rather small, and I didnt want them to beat on him or something. So I checked petsmart (*cringe*) and they had some there. They looked ok in the lighting there so I got a smaller one to about match the size of my current one. Well I got him home and noticed he was a tab more beat up than I thought. A little fin damage and some little marks on him.. but I've bought fish in worse condition and they ended up ok.

Well my African was kinda fiesty with him at first which worried me, but I added a tube from an older aquarium which had a BGK long ago to add another place to hide (I had rocks and some thick fake plants on opposing ends, my current african prefered the plants). After this he seemed ok. I was still a little worried about him though. Anyway I fed him yesterday (got him 2 days ago) and he seemed to be eating ok and such. Well I get home tonight and he's dead (I saved my reciept though..). He looks a bit more beat up.. I dont know if its because he's been dead all day or because Shinji (my african) beat on him too much and killed him.

So Im curious if anyone knows whats up? I thought they were supposed to be good with their own species? I dont think its water conditions because all of my other fish seem very healthy and happy. And I didnt see any sign of disease on him? any suggestions? should I get a slightly larger one that can take the fiestyness of my one till the pecking order is settled? should I get something else instead? (I need to find khulis *sob*). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I have read that you should only keep one African per tank. Although they dont get as large as clowns I have read they get more aggresive. However, I have moved my brown knife from my currant cichlid tank to his own twenty gallon by himself untill I transfer him into the thirty gallon with some loaches. The cichlids were definately kicking his ***, poor Floppy couldnt even have a territory to call his own. I have read that they do fine in cichlid tanks but my knife isnt that big and had shown no territorial or dominant type agression, althoguh he is very persistant in hunting during the night.
 
Tank size?

I've read that they send out small electrical currents which could upset other knifes. They should only, I do believe, be kept in very large tanks if you are going to keep more than one.
 
no, i have read that african brown knife also uses electric signals to find their food in the nighttime. i would recommend only one, as they are very different looking from all te other tankmates and IMO having two (unless you have a huge system) would sorta make the knife's glorious apperance less of a treat. :bowing: have fun though, they are very nice to watch, i think they are cute and i love his glowing eyes.
 
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