This care sheet covers the Ghost Knifefish species, including:
Care Difficulty | Intermediate |
Average Life Span | Up to 15 years when properly cared for, depending on species |
Average Adult Size | Up to 18 inches long, depending on species |
Diet | Carnivore |
Minimum Habitat Size | 40 gallons for juveniles only |
Water Temperature | 73-80°F |
Keep in an appropriately sized aquarium for the species selected, which can range from 40 gallons for small juveniles up to a 100+ gallon aquarium for adults.
A well-balanced Ghost Knife diet consists of:
Things to remember when feeding your ghost knifefish:
Ghost Knifefish are available for purchase at Petco online and in-store; availability varies by location. If visiting your local Petco Pet Care Center location, please call ahead to check availability.
Ghost Knives are generally peaceful and can be kept with many varieties of fish of similar or larger size and temperament. Ghost knives are territorial and don’t like sharing their space with other electric fish species like other ghost knives, elephant nose fish, and baby whales.
Health issue |
Symptoms or causes |
Suggested action |
Frayed or disintegrating fins; the base of the fins usually reddens |
Improve water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment. |
|
Bacterial infections |
Cloudy eyes, open sores and/or reddening of the skin |
Improve water quality; add or slightly increase freshwater aquarium salt level; use a commercial antibacterial remedy, for scaleless fish, as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment |
White spots appear on fins and body; fish rubs against hard objects or swims erratically, rapid respirations |
Quarantine fish immediately; add or slightly increase freshwater aquarium salt level and use a commercial ich remedy, for scaleless fish, as directed; Consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment |
|
Cottonmouth or Columnaris |
Cottony white growths along the body and/or gills, frayed fins and gills turn brown and necrotic in late stages; caused by bacterial infection |
Quarantine fish; improve water quality; lower aquarium temperature to 72°F to deter bacteria from growing; medicate as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment |
Ask a Pet Care Center store employee about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.
Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as atypical mycobacterium and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life and/or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of diseases.
Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing and/or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.
Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about aquatic life and disease.
The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.
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