Black ghost knifefish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 40 cm. The largest on record measured 50 cm (total length).

Black ghost knifefish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Black ghost knifefish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.

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Black ghost knifefish

Apteronotus albifrons

It ripples one long anal fin to glide forward, backward and vertically.

The Black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Apteronotidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 40 cm; the largest on record measured 50 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 180 cm long and water at 24–28 °C.

Size: 40 cm
Smallest tank: 180 cm
Temperature: 24–28 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature24–28 °C

pH6.0–7.5

Hardness2–12 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres13 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres24 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres28 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along52 species

and 28 more species

Caution40 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together7 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 50 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderGymnotiformes
FamilyApteronotidae
GenusApteronotus
SpeciesApteronotus albifrons

In other languages

German: Weißstirn-Messerfisch
Spanish: Cuchillo caballo
French: Poisson-couteau noir de jais
Italian: pesce coltello fantasma
Russian: Чёрная ножетелка
Chinese: 線翎電鰻

Quick answers

Black ghost knifefish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 40 cm. The largest on record measured 50 cm (total length).
Black ghost knifefish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Black ghost knifefish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 2–12 °dGH.
Black ghost knifefish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.
Black ghost knifefish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Black ghost knifefish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.