black ghost knife.... taming

joander123

joander123

what a fruitcake
Jan 12, 2007
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Massachusetts
hey everyone new member... i've looked at this site many times just never really bothered to sign up for it. Anyways thought i have a 55g long, freshwater tank with various fish in it. My favorite is the black ghost knifefish, i just fell in love with him at the local pet store and hate to get him. I've heard that they can learn to be hand tamed, like eat out of your hands and swim threw your fingers and stuff. That sounds really cool to me i was just looking for some input on the subject if anyones had any luck with such things.


-Thanks
 
OHNOZ! PLease take him back! you will need 200G tank ALONE for that fish, it will not stunt and will be miserable!
 
I think you guys are thinking about Clown Knives...Black Ghosts dont get that large. They usually max out anywhere around 16 inches. They aren't a very active fish either, they spend most thier time laying in a tube or cave, so they don't need as big a tank as other fish thier same size might need. Most websites I've looked at say 55 gallons is the minimum size tank for these guys.

Here's what Dr. Foster and SMith's Liveaquaria says:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=857

It's easy to train them to eat from your hand, just take something tasty like frozen bloodworms and hold it next to thier nose. The 1st times you do it it will shy away but don't give up, eventually it will get too tempted and go for a quick snatch. After that they'll get more brave and more brave as the days go on, to the point where, when as soon as they sense your hand in the water or smell the food, they'll come out of thier cave and come swimming over to you.

Ive actually tamed other fish this way also. My Redtail shark and Opaline Gourami will eat from my hand also.:)
 
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nah i've had this guy 2 years hes about 8 inches, im pretty sure they dont get ANY bigger than 16-18 inches in captivity... and most of the time are much smaller, plus like previously stated they are nocturnal, during the day they hide in tubes and caves and at night the search for food, not a ton of movement through-out the day tho

thanks jason
 
As for hand taming, just make sure your hands are clean, and free of soap or lotion residue. hold some food in your hand and eventually they will sniff it out.

Now, we see a lot of conflicting numbers on these fish, from 18-22" on most profiles. Lets split the difference. 20" fish in a tank that is only 13 inches front to back. You might want to rethink if the 55 gal is big enough to handle that. Not to mention the tank is < 50" wide, meaning the fish will have little more than a body length to swim. They are nocturnal, so we dont see a lot of thier actions. I had one in a 10 gallon back when I thought "fish grow to the sizew of the tank" and at night I would see it out playing a lot more than you would think.
 
right i would understand a little bit if he was 20 inches, but hes only around 7 or 8 inches, anyone know when they stop growing? i've had him for 2 years now and doesnt seem to be getting much bigger anymore. I could be wrong though
 
Are they aggresive? Do they sting? Do they bite? Are they harmful in any way? So far they seem like pretty kewl fish to me :)
 
5Bettamom said:
Are they aggresive? Do they sting? Do they bite? Are they harmful in any way? So far they seem like pretty kewl fish to me :)
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They aren't aggressive at all unless they see something as prey. If a fish can't fit in it's mouth , it ignores them. They don't sting .
 
joander123 said:
right i would understand a little bit if he was 20 inches, but hes only around 7 or 8 inches, anyone know when they stop growing? i've had him for 2 years now and doesnt seem to be getting much bigger anymore. I could be wrong though
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I fear you may have stunted him. you keep right on top of your water params, right?
 
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