Black Ghost Knife help

Letum

Hi guys. I'm new here. I'm also new to the hobby as well, and I really enjoy it. It seems like a lot of you know your stuff, so I have a few questions. Hopefully, you guys can help.

Two days ago, I bought a Black Ghost Knife fish. I wasn't 100% sure what to feed it, so I picked up some freeze dried brine shrimp, because I think frozen food might be out of the question, due to the fact other people in the house might be grossed out about the fact there are frozen worms/shrimp in the freezer. :P

Anyway, I've been having trouble feeding him. I have a skull thing for him to hang out in, but when I try to put the freeze dried brine shrimp in, it either completely falls apart and makes a mess of the tank before I get it in the skull, or if I do succeed in getting it in, the ghost knife completely ignores it.

About twenty minutes ago, I noticed him going around the tank and grabbing a few floating pieces. There is a piece of food in the skull at the moment, but I don't notice him eating that, just the bits floating. I don't want to leave them floating about, I really don't want to mess the tank up and leave floating food everywhere.

Are there any ways for me to get this food to him aside from letting it float everywhere? I'll be open to other foods, aside from the frozen stuff, if I REALLY need to be.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :D

Christople

Hi and welcome to TFK, how big is your tank? The only way to feed him is either frozen or live food.

Letum

It's a 20 gallon. It's a temporary home, until I can get a bigger tank.

Oh, is that true? The people at the pet store told me the freeze dried would work, and I read on other sites it would. I gave it a try, I guess.

Thanks for the help!

ladayen

Welcome to the forum :) Glad to have you.

I just would like to throw out there that most store employees fall into three categories:

1. Dont really know what they are talking about, but make up stuff on the go, or will repeat stuff they have heard with no regards into researching the accuracy of such statement.

2. Dont know dont care. They just want your money.

3. These people actually know what they are talking about, however these can be the worst of all because they will flat out lie to you to make a sale and can make a very convincing pitch.

It is quite rare.. at least in North America to find an honest knowledgable fish store employee. I would highly suggest you do further research on anything a fish store employee says.

As to your knife fish, these can grow over 1' long so I wouldn't suggest delaying a new tank for it. Black Ghost Knifefish . You should be able to click on the name there and it will bring up a profile giving you further information including diet information.

Christople

Yes if the fish does not have enough room from the start it could have deformities, 90 gallon tank

Letum

Ladayen, thanks for the help. I noticed those categories as well actually, but the woman who helped me really seemed like she genuinely cared, because she immediately asked what size tank I had.

I also did do my research on the fish, I guess I didn't do enough.

Jack21

I had a black ghost knife fish and i fed him frozen bloodworms and mysis shrimp!
I syringed the food into his log where he then ate it.
When i got him he was 3" then a month later he was 5"
They are incredibly fast growers!!!
Good luck!

craig305

FUNNY, I bought a BGK exactly 2 days ago as well (monday). I have the same exact problem. I thought i saw him grab 1 bloodworm from a bunch. I even placed them in his castle hiding space and no real luck but i did remove them due to i heard bloodworms can pollute the tank. A guy at a good fish store said dont panic yet. they can go about a week with no food and still be fine. BGK's are real temepermental and take a little time to adjust. I beleive this maybe the problem, hopfuly. I should add i ended up with 4 female guppys for free because the store person didnt want to scoop them out and he has not eaten any of those either...so dont feel alone bud