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Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) - Page 2

© Clifford J. Aliperti

Some more inexperienced fishkeepers may be slightly intimidated by the exotic appearance of the Black Ghost the first time they come across one in the fish store. Don't be alarmed; if you couldn't tell yet, this is a very easy species to keep. Okay, don't get one unless you have at least a thirty-gallon tank to start with, that's for sure. But if you do, again the laterally compressed shape of the Ghost means that he taxes your Biological System much less than that big fat Oscar you already have swimming around.

Unfortunately, I have also found out that the Black Ghost can survive a decent beating. There were some territorial issues that mine had with a surly Pike Cichlid, which ended with my having to move my poor beaten Ghost. His fins were shredded and he had several white cotton patches across his body. Within two weeks in a peaceful tank treated with Mela-Fix (an indispensable product), he was as good as new. This hardiness solidified the Ghost's reputation as my favorite.

Ideal temperature is probably about 75-80° Fahrenheit, pH in the 6.5-7.0 range. But I'll tell you something; I've noticed that with all of my fish these numbers are relative. Wait, before you have a fifty-degree tank with a pH of 2, let me restate that: As long as the fish are maintained at constant temperatures and pH, they will probably be fine. If over a period of two months your pH drops from 7.0 to 6.6 to 6.4 to finally 5.8 and then stabilizes there, you should be okay. I believe that the water you get from your tap is going to naturally settle into its own chemical zone and that it's probably better for your fish if you leave it alone rather than adding a multitude of chemical products to your water.

In summary, if you have a 30 plus gallon tank, if the fish already housed in there are at least four or five inches or will soon be that size, get yourself a Black Ghost. He'll soon be the centerpiece of the tank.

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