help with Apteronotus albifrons, Black Ghost Knife fish

[Roland]

Does anyone have any experience with this fish? I bought a juvenile (3") recenetly, but i am having trouble getting it to feed and it is very reclusive, even at night after lights out.

It is in a large community tank with peacefull tankmates, PH 7, soft water, 26 degrees, with plenty of refuges. I am having to actually hand feed it (frozen bloodworm, freeze dried tubifex, flake) as it refuses to come out and search for food by itself.

The fish itself seems healthy enough.

I would appreciate any help with this beautiful fish

 

[OrionGirl]

It has you very well trained!

I would stop babying it. Put the food in, make sure other fish aren't eating the food, and make it come out and hunt. You could try some live earthworms as extra enticement.

Fish can go a long time without eating, so be patient. It will eventually decide you won't be providing room service, and go looking, especially if it can smell and detect something wriggling. I wouldn't use feeder fish--might encourage it to go after tankmates.

 

[Twilight]

Some "Young" BKGs can be shy at first......mine didn't want to come out at first either. They are nocturnal.....I keep one side of my 55 dimmer than the other. As my BGK got bigger {he's maybe 7"} he soon became more of a hunter. As soon as he smells food he's there. They enjoy Zucchini slices also....as other fish do. I have never fed him seperate from the other fish.

 

[Hootchieman]

I agree with the others. My BGK is about 10" now and gobbles up 3 or 4 thawed shrimp every day. They are nocturnal so yours may not come out to feed until the lights are out. I find that they are a very voracious predator once they are used to their surroundings.