Black ghost knifefish

Care at a glance

The black ghost knifefish from South America is velvet black with two white rings on the tail and moves by rippling a long fin along its belly, which lets it swim backwards as easily as forwards. It orients itself with a weak electric field it generates, using it to sense its surroundings in the dark.

It grows substantial and needs a spacious, calm tank with tubes or pipes to retreat into by day. Feed frozen foods in the evening, do not keep it with small fish or shrimp, and go easy on bright lighting; strong light keeps it hidden.

Good to know

• Active at night
• Outgrows most home tanks
• Preys on shrimp and snails

Best not combined with

• Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
• Ember tetraHyphessobrycon amandae
• Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi

Related species

• Elephant nose fishGnathonemus petersii
• Senegal bichirPolypterus senegalus
• Leopard bush fishCtenopoma acutirostre
• RopefishErpetoichthys calabaricus
• African butterflyfishPantodon buchholzi
• Pea pufferCarinotetraodon travancoricus