Brown Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus)

Brown Ghost Knifefish
Elegant, Mysterious, and Mesmerizing in Motion.

The Brown Ghost Knifefish is a nocturnal beauty with a graceful, ribbon-like body and a unique way of swimming that captivates aquarists of all experience levels. With its smooth gliding motion and electro-sensory abilities, this fish is as fascinating as it is beautiful.

🔹 Quick Overview:

• Common Name: Brown Ghost Knifefish

• Scientific Name: Apteronotus leptorhynchus or similar

• Origin: South America (Amazon Basin & surrounding regions)

• Size: Up to 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) in captivity

• Temperament: Peaceful but territorial with its own kind

• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper care

• Activity: Primarily nocturnal, but can be active in dim lighting

🏡 Ideal Habitat & Tank Requirements:

• Tank Size: 55+ gallons recommended

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Environment:

  • Provide plenty of hiding spots like PVC tubes, driftwood, and caves

  • Prefers subdued lighting or floating plants for shade

  • Gentle water flow with excellent filtration

🍽️ Diet:
Carnivorous and best fed at night or during low light.

• Prefers live or frozen foods: bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans

• Can adapt to high-protein sinking pellets with time

• Avoid flake foods — not their style!

🐣 Breeding Info:

• Rarely bred in home aquariums

• Requires highly specific water parameters and space

• Males and females are difficult to distinguish

🌟 Fun Facts:

• Brown Ghost Knifefish have a specialized electric organ used for navigation and communication!

• They swim using undulating motions of their long anal fin — allowing them to glide forward and backward with ease.

• Despite their name, they’re quite peaceful and can become hand-fed with trust.

💡 Pro Tip:
Keep only one per tank unless you have a very large aquarium — they may fight with their own species over territory.

Mysterious yet gentle, graceful yet bold — the Brown Ghost Knifefish is a showstopper that brings life to the shadows.

🛒 Bring one home today — and watch the night come alive!