Starting Out With BGKs

[Carraig]

Hi all!

Well chuffed to have found a site dedicated to Black Ghosts. ;D I got Ella for free from my local pet store as no other fishkeepers would take in one of these strange timid fish.

My home town's a very small Scots village. Not the centre of the hobby by any means.

I've had Ella for almost a year now, she's grown from 2" to 4", hopefully she doing all right but I've had real trouble finding out about these fish. I've just cleared out a new 120l tank for her, (guessing she's a she), and was thinking of ordering another juvenile housemate.

All advice welcome guys not just on compatability but also lighting plants anything you think will help.

Cheers
Carraig

[FMZ]

First of all Welcome to BGK Tank forum ;D

How big is your current tank? Its a good thing you're moving Ella to a 30 Gallon tank. They need a larger tank though, a minimum of 75 gallon if you can afford it.

They can grow 20" long that's why 125 Gallon tank is recommended.

They like subdued lightining as far as I know since they're sensitive to light. They also like lot of plants around them and it'll probably make Ella come out more during the day if she already doesn't come out. I wouldn't recommend putting anything with Ella that can fit in her mouth. In other words, small fish like neon tetra, cardinal tetra, small guppy etc.

BGKs go wild for Frozen Bloodworms and Live Blackworms. Some also feed on the flakes. My BGK will accept Bloodworms, Live Blackworms and the Tetra Min Flakes. She won't touch Krill or tubifex worms (both frozen)


Good luck with Ella

[mish]

Congrats on becoming a parent! Sure you are hooked on Ella by now, took me about 5 minutes to fall in love with my "Velvet" (who i am currently setting up a larger tank for - only 55 gallon / 250 litre, but much bigger than her current one).

The trick to keeping BGK's with other fish seems to be to keep the tank well (but not ever) fed. Mine is perfectly peaceful to her small catfish tank mates, as well as the platy's, and although she will see them off if they venture too close to her 'cave' and will nuzzle them out the way at feeding time, she is generally chilled.
Tends to sleep on her back in her cave most of the time - still unclear as to whether this is normal, but after 7 months does not seem to have done her any harm!

Apparently softer substrate is better, although i have a rough gravel and again she seems fine with it. That said, am laying some softer substrate in and under the hiding holes of the new tank.

With regard to plants, they provide nice daytime hiding places, and mine often can be found suspended (upside down) in the plants!

Velvet seems not to worry about light too much, and will come out any time of the day to play or feed, but she is very attuned to new people in the room, and is stage shy!

Apparently you can train your BGK to take food from your hand - maybe Bryce can advise, as i have had little luck to date.

Good luck and have fun!

[bryce2003]

Carraig,
Have seen BGK's feed from a persons (only the one fishkeeper and his BGK however it was about 6cm long and in a 2ft quarantine tank at the time therefore easy to acheive) hands but mish seems to have hit the nail on the head with them seemingly getting used to their owners and wary of new people, although I think it is fairly hit and miss as a lot of people can and just as many won't. I'd say however this would be similar with most fish/fishkeepers. I have a similar thing with my clown loaches, asian bumble bee cats and the wifes elephant noses.

Lighting also seems to be similar in that some BGK's will only venture out after dark, or periods of low light where others will come out at any time of the day or night.

It seems that any aquatic plant will do for these fish. I have only a couple of different varieties so can't say for certain. However I have a mate who had a problem with never seeing his BGK during the day. He planted a heap of medium density plants towards the front of his tank, they were thick enough to provide good cover but still able to see through them without too much problem. His BGK started coming out more frequently and can be seen easily enough throughout the day. Obviously it feels more comfortable/secure given more areas in which to hide or a barrier from which to hide behind.

I thought BGK's preferred wood to hide in and around. I have recently added some more rocks to my tank and the BGK's have now claimed it as their own. Maybe someone else can shed more light on this for you. Or they might just prefer any sort of material from which it feels will be a suitable/safe home for them.

A lot of people have differing opinions/experiences with multiple BGK's in a tank. This is through their own good/bad experiences. I have 2 in my tank which is an 8fter and the space may be a helping hand in this along with more than an adequate supply of driftwood, rocks and plants etc. However they do quite readily feed, play and sleep together. Compatibility is the key and I feel that each fish is individual and much like us in this respect.

FMZ was right about the food. I also give mine earth worms, brine shrimp and protein pellets. Have also seen them going for lettuce, pumpkin, zuchinni and pleco crap on a few occasions.

Hope this helps, good luck with your BGK as they are a great addition to any aquarium and a wonderful fish.
Cheers,
Bryce.

[Carraig]

Hey all,

Thanks for your advice. I'm just about to recieve my new BGK's ;D. Timing's a bit off though as I may well be giving up scots tranquility for hectic city life .

I'll be moving to Leeds in the next couple of months for a new job. That in mind I'm getting a much bigger tank (150g).

For the moment I'll be hosting three very small (2 1/2" - 3") BGKs in with Ella in the 120 l tank. My father has kindly volunteered to fish-sit for me and he's been looking after his marine tank for about three years and all to the good.

I've put in a load of different tropi plants which have been thriving over the last weeks and Ella seems to love it. She's out now whenever she feels like it.

I've also invested in a healthy stockpile of frozen foods for the new-comers and got a new moonlight set-up using these really smart cold cathode tubes.

The fish should be moving down a month after we do so that'll give me a while to sort out compatability. I've got a couple of smaller tanks on standby in case any of the fish really dont get along.

So with a new much larger tank, more plants, better lights and food and spares to go round, I should be all set. If however I've missed anything out please let me know.

I'm not sure how these guys will get along but with spare homes up and running for them all should be well .

Carrraig