Apistogramma with black ghost knifefish

[Theo1994]

Hello dear community,

Im setting a 60''x20"x24" tank. I m thinking of adding 1 male cacatuoides, 1 male agassizii, maybe a bolivian ram along with some melanotaenias and a black ghost knifefish, as a centerpiece. Do you think the dwarf cichlids will grow to be a pricey snack? Has anyone set up something like this? Tanks gonna be planted and I ll provide rocks and wood to form caves mainly for the ghost, but I can spare some caves etc for the apistos. Do you think long term it can work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MacZ]

Depending on the size of the knife fish and the cichlids, respectively, an Apistogramma or Microgeophagus may very well end up as live food. I would not do it. You might want to look into docile and robust cichlids the size of Cleithracara maronii, Cichlasoma (proper) or smaller Geophagus to go with a ghost knife.

 

[Theo1994]

Hello sir and thanks for the reply.

The apisto will probably be 2 to 3 inches and the ghost will be purchased at the same length, probably bigger than an agassizii but smaller than an adult cacatuoides. Yes I m getting bad vibes about the bgk and apisto coexistence, but I thought it's better to ask if someone has any experience on it. There are some nice geophagi on stock in my lfs, is purchasing one geophagus ok? Im certainly not having 5 geophagus at my 125, just asking because i read online they like to school too.

Thank you for your time.

 

[MacZ]

Geophagus are shoaling fish, so a group is advised.
I don't think you will get a ghost knife at that small size, though. Also while the knife is nocturnal, Apistogramma are diurnal, meaning the knife will keep the Apistos from sleeping. Really bad mojo.