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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Black ghost knifefish live with Ember Tetra?

VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Black ghost knifefish + Ember Tetra: Black ghost knifefish may eat Ember Tetra. Black ghost knifefish (45cm) is predatory and Ember Tetra (2cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.

Compatibility score

30/100

Profile confidence: low

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

500L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 500L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C2428°C shared
Black ghost knifefishEmber TetraShared window
pH
Range67 shared
Black ghost knifefishEmber TetraShared window
Size / predation

Black ghost knifefish (45cm adult) may treat small Ember Tetra (~2cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Temperament / behaviour

Temperament gap (semi-aggressive vs peaceful) — can work with space, structure, and careful observation, but not a “drop and forget” mix.

Assessment details

  1. Temperament difference

    Black ghost knifefish is semi-aggressive, while Ember Tetra is peaceful. This can work with adequate space and hiding spots, but monitor for bullying.

  2. Black ghost knifefish may eat Ember Tetra

    Top issue

    Black ghost knifefish (45cm) is predatory and Ember Tetra (2cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

Black ghost knifefish (45cm) is predatory and Ember Tetra…

Black ghost knifefish may eat Ember Tetra

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Ember Tetra can escape if harassed.
  • Ember Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.

Try instead

  • Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Ember Tetra can escape if harassed.
  • Ember Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.
  • Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.
  • LiveAquaria. Black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons care sheet)

    Primary: large-aquarium retailer care profile: very large tank, dim lighting, hiding, carnivore diet, and size expectations. Cross-check the stated minimum with your own footprint and filtration; Fishori uses a stricter home-aquarium minimum than a catalog line.

  • FishBase. Apteronotus albifrons

    Secondary: natural history and max length; weakly electric foraging in the dark. Translate into tank length and nocturnal feeding, not a neon-tetra list.

  • Seriously Fish. Hyphessobrycon amandae

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Hyphessobrycon amandae

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Hyphessobrycon amandae

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Black ghost knifefish + Ember Tetra

Plan further

Try both species in the full-stock tank check, or open either fish profile for mates lists. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: medium. Driven by the lower-confidence profile (Black ghost knifefish): Based on typical aquarium care sources; details may vary between setups.