Black Ghost knifefish

The black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) comes from fast, sandy-bottomed creeks across South America. It is inky black apart from a white blaze on the snout and two white rings near the tail, and it has no dorsal fin at all. Movement comes from a single long anal fin running the length of the belly, rippling to drive the fish forwards or backwards with equal ease. It navigates and hunts using a weak electric field, which is why it manages perfectly well in the dark.

Aquarium care

• Grows very large, so it needs a long, wide tank with real open swimming space. This is a serious commitment, not a community fish.
• A supple, agile swimmer that reverses as readily as it goes forward, so it wants both open water and hiding places it can weave through.
• Nocturnal and sensitive to bright light. Provide tubes, caves and wood for daytime shelter.
• Keep one to a tank. It is territorial with its own kind and with other knifefish.
• Soft sand substrate; sharp gravel damages the anal fin.
• Scaleless, so treat medications with care and check dosing before use.
• Carnivorous: frozen bloodworm, chopped prawn and sinking carnivore pellets. Small fish and shrimp will be eaten.

Suits a large, dimly lit tank with calm fish too big to swallow, such as angelfish, eartheaters and larger rainbowfish.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See more in assorted and interesting.