Knifefish

NatakuTseng said:
Well, I'll second Fishseller on this one. No knife in a 25. And I'm not sure where most of you guys are getting your info on black ghosts, but they will reach 20" or a bit better given proper care and really don't grow that slow. The only ones that stay smaller as far as I know are the African Brown Knives, they get to about 12", but even then a 25 is a bit cramped for them. There are a ton of brackish species though, you could even try sailfin mollies, they seem to do much better in brackish, and I've kept and bred them in full saltwater before. Pretty fish as well.
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I'm sorry, but your info is totally incorrect, and wherever you're getting it at is not at all a reliable source. I gather that it's not first-hand experience? If so, perhaps you should report that quickly growing black ghost and 12" African, as the 12" African would be a world record! They get to 8", no bigger in aquariums. It will be fine in a 25, for life. Saying anything else is simply rubbish. Same for the black ghost. They don't grow quickly at all. I've had mine for several years, feed him very well, and give him plenty of water changes. You know how fast he grows? About 2" per year. And they don't get to 20", they get to 26" if you want to be nitpicky (and I've had 6 black ghosts, and they all got to 17" before I had to sell them due to a move... this isn't hardly my first black ghost). And there are quite a few species that stay much smaller than black ghosts, it's obvious to me that you need to do more research before you post. The dwarf knife only gets to 4", the mousetail to 6", and there are many others under a foot, even though they are rare or semi-rare.
I really don't mean to be rude, but you do need to check your sources before calling those of us with correct information out on the carpet.

P.S. Yes, $5 is fine for a clown, but not a great deal. That's about how much they cost at most chain pet stores (i.e. petsmart, petco, etc.). I agree with the mangrove idea, it sounds good to me. And for your size tank, I would suggest knight gobies, or other brackishwater goby and sleeper species.
 
Lepisosteus said:
I'm sorry, but your info is totally incorrect, and wherever you're getting it at is not at all a reliable source. I gather that it's not first-hand experience? If so, perhaps you should report that quickly growing black ghost and 12" African, as the 12" African would be a world record! They get to 8", no bigger in aquariums. It will be fine in a 25, for life. Saying anything else is simply rubbish. Same for the black ghost. They don't grow quickly at all. I've had mine for several years, feed him very well, and give him plenty of water changes. You know how fast he grows? About 2" per year. And they don't get to 20", they get to 26" if you want to be nitpicky (and I've had 6 black ghosts, and they all got to 17" before I had to sell them due to a move... this isn't hardly my first black ghost). And there are quite a few species that stay much smaller than black ghosts, it's obvious to me that you need to do more research before you post. The dwarf knife only gets to 4", the mousetail to 6", and there are many others under a foot, even though they are rare or semi-rare.
I really don't mean to be rude, but you do need to check your sources before calling those of us with correct information out on the carpet.

P.S. Yes, $5 is fine for a clown, but not a great deal. That's about how much they cost at most chain pet stores (i.e. petsmart, petco, etc.). I agree with the mangrove idea, it sounds good to me. And for your size tank, I would suggest knight gobies, or other brackishwater goby and sleeper species.
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I is true that they grow slowly, but probably would grow faster and attain fuller size at maturity in a larger tank.

I'd like to see mine in a larger tank than he is in now (66g). I just picture him in a larger tank and couldn't see him in 25g at the moment as he is a graceful swimmer and swoops through the tank quickly at feeding time. I think a year or so is ultimately, the time when I'll need 100g. I like lots of room for my fish. I personally don't like an 8 inch fish in 25g either. The max size of fish I'd keep is one 4 to 5 inch fish for 25g and a bottom feeder and /or tetra or danio or livebearers.
Even my 4 inch pearl gouramy (4 inches each)looked uncomfortable in 25g and are now at home in 66g.
 
You say that he is active and swoops through the tank at feeding time. But I'm guessing that it's ONLY feeding time, as these are generally very inactive fish. Saying that it needs a larger tank quickly is rubbish. They are very flexible, too. It is true that they grow more quickly in a larger tank, but not much more quickly. The two that I had in a 300 gallon took 6 years to get to 17". Not at all quick.
 
You could probably keep a lot of fish in a 25, but would they thrive? Do you wan't the best for your fish?

I add my vote for the 90 minimum. But hey, save up for one, you'll be glad you did :thm:
 
90 for an 8" fish? If you think that's what they neeed, then I hate to say it, but you are insane. Yes, it will thrive in a 25. It will do more than thrive. They could be bred in a 25. Ask anyone else with experience in this group of fish, and that's what they'll tell you. Again, some of you truly need to do some research before making such unintelligent comments. Again, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm telling it the way that it is.
 
Your info is wrong, do some more research, unless your calling http://www.fishbase.org a unreliable source. Besides I have seen black ghost knives over 16" and have no doubt they will get larger than that and grow fairly quickly. I've seen browns pushing 11" as well. NO knifefish should be kept in anything less than a 75gal in my opinion. By all rights what your saying an oscar can be fine in a 25gal just because they only get around 12" usually, but they won't thrive or be nearly as healthy as they would in a larger tank. So its time for YOU to do more research. Fishbase is one of the most reliable and accurate informational sites anyone could ask for, their info is all based on research and facts.

Fish, just didn't agree with ya on the wild cardinal thing, thats all man, doesn't mean we can't agree on other stuff, lol.
 
Look, you need to get your facts straight. I have first hand experience, and enither one of you do, now do you? So maybe you should get some before you start pumping out the trash that you are now. Yes, I saw the word thrive, and I said it too. Are you illiterate? If not, then you must have seen it. I am calling fishbase incorrect info in this case. They have no info based on the captive care of a species
Nat, I'm sorry to say this but it is obvious that you are an idiot with no place giving this crap that you would like to pass off as info. No knife can be kept in anything smaller than a 75? You sir, are insane. An oscar has nothing to do with this, so leave them out of it. An African knife is an extremely serpentine fish, and will THRIVE (capitals to help those of us with reading issues) in a 25. You know how? I kept one in a 25 for seven years, and it was fully grown and doing great when I sold it. I'll try to get some of my friends that have been keeping knives as long as I have or longer to come here and ellaborate, but I sort of doubt that they'll join just to read posts by ignorant people such as the two of you. And no, he wasn't stunted. There is no such thing as a captive raised African over 8", or at least that has been reported. And if the person owning a larger specimen knows anything about the species that they're keeping, then they know that they have a world record on their hands and should report it. And you are even less intelligent if you think that black ghosts grow at all quickly. You both need to gather some experience, not just outdated and incorrect or unapplicable data. You are simply insane if you think that an 8" serpentine fish that produces very little waste needs a 75 gallon. And I know about large tanks, or at least quite a bit more than either one of you judging by the link in your signature. Nat, your largest tank is a 75, correct? And you keep your discus in smaller tank? You do know that they can reach almost a foot in length, correct? And Matek, it seems to me that your largest tank is a 30 gallon, so really don't have any place speaking of medium sized tanks, much less large tanks. My largest tank now is a 300 gallon, which I have several of. The largest tank that I've maintained is a 700 gallon. I have 16 years experience with knives. I think that I have a bit more experience in those two subjects than either one of you, so I suggest that you don't comment on topics of which you have no knowledge of. I'm sorry to be so harsh, but I would count your post at least, nat, as a personal attack. So if you call me out, I'll prove you wrong. ;)
 
Every animal I've ever had or seen does better in a bigger enclosure. I have seen a few, fish included, have their whole personality change with a bigger enclosure. You can actually witness their behaviour change in a few days.

How big of an enclosure do they have in the natural? Everything needs its space.

BTW, I don't feel theatened by this thread and don't feel the need for personal character attacks to make a point. I'll just read what you have to post and respond.
 
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