Are Ghost knives fish territorial?

Can Black Ghost knife fish live with other fish?

Black ghost knife fish can live with others in a community tank environment. The key is to stock the aquarium with peaceful fish of similar size like South American cichlids and/or catfish. Don’t add tiny fish to the tank as black ghosts are omnivorous and will likely eat them.

How to test for nitrogen in aquariums?

A water test kit helps you determine if there are toxic levels of nitrogen compounds in the aquarium. This method is our favorite because it truly transforms your aquarium into a natural ecosystem, both biologically and visually.

Are nitrates in aquarium water safe for fish?

Although most fish keepers understand the lethal effects of ammonia and nitrites, safe nitrate levels in aquarium water are often overlooked. However, if nitrate levels are allowed to become too high, your fish and other tank residents will suffer.

What does a high nitrite level in a fish tank mean?

Any elevation in nitrite level is a red flag that indicates a problem brewing in the tank. 1  If a fish is ill or dies, it’s wise to test for nitrite to ensure it is not contributing to the problem. The only way to reduce elevated nitrate levels quickly is via water changes.

What happens if you put nitrogen in fish tank water?

If this water is put directly on fish, bubbles can form in the gills, skin and fins as the nitrogen begins to vent off in an attempt to equalize with the nitrogen in the atmosphere. This problem, known as Gas Bubble Disease, is similar to the bends in divers and can cause death if the condition is severe.

What is the nitrogen cycle in fish?

This conversion from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate to nitrogen gas is known as the nitrogen cycle. Nitrifying bacteria, although naturally present in the environment, will take time to accumulate on biofilter media before they can efficiently remove all of the wastes produced by the fish.

What should I do if my Aquarium has too much nitrates?

Water used to fill the aquarium often has nitrates in it. In the United States, drinking water may have nitrates as high as 40 ppm. Before adding water to your tank test, it for nitrates so you know if the levels are unusually high in your water source. If nitrates are above 10 ppm, you should consider other water…

What are nitrites in fish food?

Nitrites are products of the decomposition of food proteins. Nitrite is not a poisonous as many would have us believe. The acute toxicity is where the fish die in hours or days. This is the “Toxic” level in the chart below.

What are safe levels of nitrite in aquariums?

Safe Nitrite Levels 5.3. Safe Nitrite Levels in the Aquarium Nitrites are products of the decomposition of food proteins. Nitrite is not a poisonous as many would have us believe. The acute toxicity is where the fish die in hours or days. This is the “Toxic” level in the chart below.

What causes high nitrate levels in fish?

There are four possible sources of high nitrate levels: infrequent maintenance, overfeeding, crowded tank, or bad water from the tap. Not to worry though – there are several things you can do to lower nitrate levels quickly and safely.

Why should you do nitrite test in a fish tank?

Thus, one should do nitrite test in the fish tank so that the fish doesn’t die of suffocating and any amount of nitrite in the tank remains unchecked. Therefore, we have discussed the entire detail related to nitrite levels in the tank.

Are nitrates harmful to fish?

Although nitrates are not directly lethal in the way ammonia or nitrites are, over time high levels of nitrate have a negative effect on fish, plants and the aquarium environment in general. Effect on Fish. Fish will feel the impact of nitrates by the time the levels reach 100 ppm, particularly if levels remain there.

What is a good nitrate level for aquariums?

Nitrate levels as low as 10 ppm will promote algae growth. Algae blooms in newly setup tanks are usually due to elevated nitrate levels. … In freshwater aquariums, nitrates should be kept below 50 pm at all times, preferably below 25 ppm.

What are the effects of high nitrate in a fish tank?

High nitrate levels may also contribute to algae overgrowth, which will make your fish tank look dirty and unattractive. Vacuum the bottom of your aquarium to remove waste and lower the nitrate level.

What happens when fish eat fish food containing nitrogen?

Most of the chemical processes will take place inside the fist themselves when they eat the fish food containing nitrogen. You introduce nitrogen to the aquarium through the fish food. The plants use the nitrate and ammonium as fertilizer. So you start this process by getting fish food that contains nitrogen.

How do you introduce nitrogen to an aquarium?

You introduce nitrogen to the aquarium through the fish food. The plants use the nitrate and ammonium as fertilizer. So you start this process by getting fish food that contains nitrogen. You can get this in most pet stores and it’s totally harmless for the fish.

How do I know if my fish tank water is clean?

You may not be able to tell by simply looking at your tank whether the water is clean – regular water testing is the only way to know for sure. It is important to keep a log of the test results as well, in order to keep track of trends that occur in your tank.

How do I know if my Aquarium is safe for fish?

Tesing is the only way to know your cycling was completed successfully, and your aquarium is now safe for fish. A test is needed to see if your nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels are at acceptable levels.

What is nitrifying bacteria in fish tank?

FishLab Fact: The bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates are called nitrifying bacteria. A new aquarium doesn’t have enough of these bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrites in your tank. The result is water that can make your fish sick or worse: kill them outright.

What happens in the first stage of the nitrogen cycle?

Waste Products Decay The first stage in the nitrogen cycle is the decay of organic matter, such as uneaten food, dead plant leaves, dead organisms, and the waste produced by fish and invertebrates. As bacteria cause these materials to break down, the metabolism of protein produces ammonia.

Can a fish tank have high nitrate?

However, marine fish can tolerate higher nitrate levels of up to 40 ppm, giving you a little more leeway if you have a fish-only setup. Problems can occur in marine setups, as frequent water changes that are designed to lower the nitrate levels mean that more salt must be added to the tank.

What is the acceptable nitrate level in a saltwater aquarium?

The acceptable Nitrate levels in a saltwater aquarium are defined as: 1 Saltwater aquarium fish can put up with higher levels of nitrates compared to freshwater fish, so for a marine,… 2 A safe level of nitrate for invertebrates and corals in a reef aquarium would be 2 PPM since the invertebrates are… More