Name: Black Ghost knife Fish
Brand: Brooklands
SKU: 16609
Price: 44.95 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Black Ghost Knife fish Profile

Overview

The Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) is one of the most striking and unique freshwater species available in the aquarium hobby. Defined by its scaleless, jet-black body, white tail rings, and a subtle white stripe along its nose, this fish lacks dorsal and caudal fins entirely. Instead, it propels itself using a long, undulating anal fin along its underside, allowing it to swim backward, forward, and hover with remarkable grace.

Origins

Native to South America, the Black Ghost Knifefish inhabits the fast-flowing, murky waters of the Amazon Basin and its tributaries across Venezuela, Paraguay, and Brazil. Because its natural environment features heavy debris and low light, local indigenous folklore held that the souls of deceased ancestors resided within these mysterious fish, giving them their iconic name.

Personality

Despite its intimidating name, the Black Ghost Knifefish is generally shy, peaceful, and reclusive. It is strictly nocturnal and will spend most daylight hours hiding in caves, drift logs, or artificial tubes. Over time, as they settle into their environment and grow comfortable with their owners, they often become quite tame and can even be hand-fed. However, because they emit a weak electric field to navigate, they are highly sensitive to their environment and can be sensitive to aggressive tankmates.

Quick Specifications

Care Level: Moderate to Advanced (Requires meticulous water quality and clean, soft substrate)

Temperament: Semi-aggressive (Peaceful toward larger tankmates, but aggressive toward its own species and predatory toward small fish)

Diet: Carnivorous (Prefers live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex, earthworms, and small feeder fish; rarely accepts standard flake food)

Max Size: 45 – 50 cm

Family: Apteronotidae

Tank Size: Minimum 350 to 400 litres for juveniles/young adults; 500+ litres recommended for fully grown adults

Temperature: 23°C – 28°C

pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Group Requirements: No, it should be kept strictly solo. They are highly territorial toward other knifefish and will fight aggressively over hiding spots and domain due to overlapping electric field signals.

Did You Know?

The Black Ghost Knifefish generates a weak electrical organ discharge (EOD) from a special organ in its tail. Because they have very poor eyesight, they use this electric field like radar to navigate dark waters, spot obstacles, and hunt down prey!