Banded knifefish
Gymnotus carapo
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The banded knifefish, very widespread in South America, generates a weak electric field to navigate, find prey and communicate. Nocturnal, it eats worms, insects, crustaceans and small fish, and is territorial towards its own kind. It breathes air and survives the drying of ditches and pools. The male guards the young in a nest and mouthbroods them. It is often confused with related species.
- Scientific name
- Gymnotus carapo
- Family
- Gymnotidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Gymnotidae
- Order
- Gymnotiformes
- Synonyms
- Carapus macrourus, Gymnotum album, Gymnotum fasciatum, Gymnotus albus, Gymnotus brachiurus, Gymnotus fasciatus, Gymnotus putaol, Sternopygus carapus
Origin
- Native region
- América do Sul, América do Norte
Water
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- General hardness (GH)
- 2–15 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 60 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 648 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 180 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Swimming level
- Middle
Care
- Care difficulty
- Moderate
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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