Injured fin on new baby Black Ghost Knife--Help please

[rosita]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for knifefish, but I didn't see another that would fit.
6 days ago I found a lovely little 5 inch black ghost knifefish. He looked very healthy and active--I watched him for quite a while, and fell in love with him. What a cool fish. I have him alone in an established 5 gallon while I finish cycling my new 55g (biowheel filter, small heater--80 degrees). There are 2 silk plants and a resin cave rock for hiding, aquarium gravel in bottom. Tonight after I did water change (50%) and gravel vac (I've been feeding him small amounts of frozen bloodworms, and freeze-dried brine shrimp, and granules, which leave a mess if he doesn't eat it all--thank god for turkey basters, too!!) I noticed he was moving more strangely than normal. As I looked more closely I realized one of his fins was almost completely gone--there's a little stub like "Nemo"'s special fin. A nubbin. (It was originally there.)
Tonite's water params were: Ammo .5
Trite .0
Ate 10
I added some StressCoat as it has tissue rejuvenating qualities, and I know alot of fish can regenerate fins. I have no idea how the fin disappeared--maybe during a gravel clean I accidently got him. He's active, I've been keeping the light off since he came home to reduce stress. He eats a little--I'm having to learn how to feed him, thus small water changes every other day.

My Question: Will he actually be able to regrow the fin? I want to do what's best, and if he can't regrow, but can adapt, I would rather keep him than return him to a certain flush or toss in the trash can. In advance, thank you to whomever may be able to help. Tried to include as much info as possible.
~Renee :sick:

 

[rosita]

Bump.

 

[rosita]

????????? Is it something I said?

B^^

 

[JinxXx0085]

Its scary how you haven't gotten any responses! :thud:
Well, I'm not too sure if the fin will regrow... it will depend on the extend of the damage. Its hard for me to image what it looks like by what you described. A picture would help me out here
Are you talking about pectoral fin that is missing right? I think he should be able to adapt to "stubby" fin. One of my angels has damages to the pectoral fins and it grows back in funny way not back to the way it was.

 

[Sully]

the primary locomotion for a BGK is the anal fin. the dorsals help. what other fish are in there with him--odd that it would vanish.

And, to be very honest, you should take the fish back to where you bought it. A 55 gallon tank is wholly inadequate. Especially since it has already reached 5". The fish grows to 20" SL. add several inches for his caudal fin.

The fish is extremely sensitive to water conditions (they have been used by various organizations as water quaity indicators).

I know it is hard to give up a fish--especially a BGK. i gave up mine. My 225 was too small for him.

 

[Bubba]

I am sorry, I will have to disagree with that.

I have had my ghost knife for 16 months plus in a 33 gallon tank and he is going great. He is about....maybe 7-8 inches and does well and has plenty of space, so I think that a 55 gallon tank will be perfectly fine. True, it will get to 20 inches, but it will take a LONG time for that to occur and for most people it isn't common for it to get that big.

As for the fin, if you want, you can bring it back, but I don't know how far you will get with that, as you mentioned yourself that it was healthy when you bought it. So a fish store is not going to take back a damaged fish that YOU damaged.

Having said that, I think that your ghost knife will be fine....it will learn to adapt and its fine MIGHT regrow (depending on how bad it is and depending on the tips of the fin). As previously mentioned they tend to use their back anal fin the most to move around. In addition, they tend to float gracefully through the water....and being so big, they should be strong enough to handle the current with a gibbled fin. Just make sure that the current isn't TOO strong and that you have plenty of hiding spots so they can relax....don't worry about the angle of the hiding spot. They can rest at any angle basically...so if it is a flat rock, so they have to 'lay' on their side, that is fine....if it is vertical, so they have to be vertical in the tank, that is fine also....anything really works

Just make sure to have a few spots...and the key thing is that they are BIG enough....and also make sure that it is not very bright near their 'cave' as they don't like a lot of light...so make sure they are protected....you do all that and you SHOULD be fine....I have heard some people state that ghost knifes are hard to keep, but I have never had a problem with mine, but I might be juts lucky. Anyway, be patient and you should be good

 

[rosita]

Its scary how you haven't gotten any responses! :thud:
Well, I'm not too sure if the fin will regrow... it will depend on the extend of the damage. Its hard for me to image what it looks like by what you described. A picture would help me out here
Are you talking about pectoral fin that is missing right? I think he should be able to adapt to "stubby" fin. One of my angels has damages to the pectoral fins and it grows back in funny way not back to the way it was.

Hey Jinxx, thanks for answering. I was starting to think I was being shunned because of my "warning" posting about Oi-Maloy!!! Ya, it's his pectoral fin, there's maybe 3/16 left, it's enough for him to use, like "Nemo." I'm really hoping he lives through it, checked him first thing when I got home, he's doing ok. Guess I"ll have to wait and see. Need batteries for the cam, I went to take a shot of him and it's flat out. Guess I used them all up taking photos of the new colt LOL. My rechargeables are fried!! Thanks again!!
~Renee

 

[rosita]

I am sorry, I will have to disagree with that.

I have had my ghost knife for 16 months plus in a 33 gallon tank and he is going great. He is about....maybe 7-8 inches and does well and has plenty of space, so I think that a 55 gallon tank will be perfectly fine. True, it will get to 20 inches, but it will take a LONG time for that to occur and for most people it isn't common for it to get that big.

Just make sure to have a few spots...and the key thing is that they are BIG enough....and also make sure that it is not very bright near their 'cave' as they don't like a lot of light...so make sure they are protected....you do all that and you SHOULD be fine....I have heard some people state that ghost knifes are hard to keep, but I have never had a problem with mine, but I might be juts lucky. Anyway, be patient and you should be good

Thanks, Bubba. I researched these guys before I bought him, and know that it's possible he might grow too large for the 55g, but before then I'll have something plenty larger!!! "Just one more tank!" LOL I don't add fish to my stock without finding out as much as possible.
I am putting in alot of flat rocks stacked creatively with plenty of hidey holes--I've observed him hanging out in both horizontal and vertical positions. And I haven't been using the overhead light in the 5g as it's bright--use ambient light and what is shed from the 55 next to it!! I appreciate your responding, it was getting a bit frustrating! He seems to be getting about pretty well with the missing fin--he does use what's left, but as with BGK's, flows about so beautifully, too. :dive2:

 

[sumthin fishy]

I have had my ghost knife for 16 months plus in a 33 gallon tank and he is going great. He is about....maybe 7-8 inches and does well and has plenty of space, so I think that a 55 gallon tank will be perfectly fine. True, it will get to 20 inches, but it will take a LONG time for that to occur and for most people it isn't common for it to get that big.

I love it when people say stuff like this. Its rare goldfish live over a few months, even though they can live 20 years. Its perfectly fine to keep them in half gallon bowls for a few months till they die. Sorry bub, but how much longer do you plan to keep it in that tank? Till its stunted and its organs are damaged? I hope not.

Rosi- Make sure you will be able to upgrade to a LARGE!!! tank in time. 20" of fish means you should have at least 30" front to back, and I would go 6' wide. Try tanks in "breeder" sisez. Im not too keen on the larger tanks, but I know a 40 gal breeder is about twice as deep (front to back) than a standard 55 gallon.

sully

the dorsals help

I do hope you meant to say pectoral

 

[rosita]

I love it when people say stuff like this. Its rare goldfish live over a few months, even though they can live 20 years. Its perfectly fine to keep them in half gallon bowls for a few months till they die. Sorry bub, but how much longer do you plan to keep it in that tank? Till its stunted and its organs are damaged? I hope not.

Rosi- Make sure you will be able to upgrade to a LARGE!!! tank in time. 20" of fish means you should have at least 30" front to back, and I would go 6" wide. Try tanks in "breeder" sisez. Im not too keen on the larger tanks, but I know a 40 gal breeder is about twice as deep (front to back) than a standard 55 gallon.

sully



I do hope you meant to say pectoral

Thanks, sf!! Oh, I will definitely get a bigger tank--I'm "stepping stone" my aquariums in size so I learn how to care for larger water and fishies. The breeder sounds pretty cool--I've got a few months to research, so I'll find him just the right thing!! I'm def not into stunting fish or forcing them to live in spaces too small--it's like keeping a huge stallion (or any horse) in a small, closed up stall all the time. Health and mental well being are destroyed!!

Well, I was talking about the pectoral fin. Dunno what Sully meant--haven't seen a dorsal on this guy!!! Thanks again, sweetie