I went to my lfs yesterday and saw they had a ghost about 9 inches long. I was thinking of putting him in a 55g. I was wondering what kinds of fish would be compatible with him. I need to move a red tail shark, two clown loaches and a drawf gourami to my 55 due to size/fighting. They also had one about 4.5 inches, and told me it would take several years to get as big as the other?
black ghost
- Thread starter sloshy
- Start date
the other fish should be fine with the bgk. as long as they are not small I'd say go for it. You are aware that the bgk does get roughly 19" though I would imagine. yes, they do grow slowly so you would have time to upgrade the tank later if need be (which it will need to be)
I am going to differ. Obviously it is a question of opinion.
A 55 gallon tank is unsuitable for a black ghost knive. A small (few inches) specimen could use it as a grow out tank for a short while. But that is about it. They need something with a footprint offering at least 6' in length. Especially once they have reached 9".
The BGK is a slow growing fish. Mine went from a couple of inches to 18"+ TL over the course of 3 1/2 years. A smaller tank will limit/slow its growth rate--but that is not a good thing. A need for appropriately sized space is not for a fish only when it reaches maturity. Appropriately sized space allows the proper development of musculature, body (and by default intenal organs), fin shape.....The bgk is an active swimmer. One that desires a good rate of water flow.
They will outgrow a 125. Mine outgrew a 225. It now resides in a 1000 gallon tank. And, for the first time in its life it has enough space to be a black ghost knife.
A 55 gallon tank is unsuitable for a black ghost knive. A small (few inches) specimen could use it as a grow out tank for a short while. But that is about it. They need something with a footprint offering at least 6' in length. Especially once they have reached 9".
The BGK is a slow growing fish. Mine went from a couple of inches to 18"+ TL over the course of 3 1/2 years. A smaller tank will limit/slow its growth rate--but that is not a good thing. A need for appropriately sized space is not for a fish only when it reaches maturity. Appropriately sized space allows the proper development of musculature, body (and by default intenal organs), fin shape.....The bgk is an active swimmer. One that desires a good rate of water flow.
They will outgrow a 125. Mine outgrew a 225. It now resides in a 1000 gallon tank. And, for the first time in its life it has enough space to be a black ghost knife.
I've read of people having them for 6 years and they only reached 12 inches. I understand what you're talking ablout as far as having enough room for correct growth. The tank the 9 in. one's in at the lfs is only a 20g.. The poor ghost can barely turn around, so I figured a 55g. would be a nice change. I can't believe you have a 1000g. - it sounds amazing! I know you're one of a select few that have gone to those lengths to provide proper habitat for your fish. I will probably never be rich enough to own even a 225g., but I have my heart set on a ghost. I'll probably give it away when it gets too big.
i don't own the 1000 gallon tank. I had to give up the fish. As much as I wanted to keep it I could not do it. Just makes no sense to me to get a fish and then keep it in conditions that are conducive to my enjoyment but not the fishes growth, health, or development.
As hobbyists we should have more respect for the "life form" that is "fish". I don't keep a Newfoundland or St Bernard in a closet. Why keep a fish in a tank that is too small for it?
As hobbyists we should have more respect for the "life form" that is "fish". I don't keep a Newfoundland or St Bernard in a closet. Why keep a fish in a tank that is too small for it?
I agree w/you totally, however you and I both know that 95% of people don't provide a proper size tank, or even the proper basic water chemistry for their fish. I also know that that 9 in. ghost would much rather be in a 55g. vs. a 20g.. Also if the saint bernard had started off in a shoe box the closet would be alright for a little while.
my ghost will be moved into a 300 Gal tank in 5 months and all the other fish too, they are in with gourami mollie platy and such, cool fish if you have the right setup for it