Apteronotus leptorhynchus

Scientific name: Apteronotus leptorhynchus Ellis, 1912

Apteronotus leptorhynchus

Apteronotus leptorhynchus is a freshwater fish of the family Apteronotidae that grows to about 25 cm (9.8 in). It is moderate to keep and aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 23–27°C (73–81°F) and a pH of 5.8–7.5. Native range: South America, Guianas, Brazil and Peru; rivers of Colombia and Venezuela.

Apteronotus leptorhynchus care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Good
Adult size
25 cm (9.8 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
23–27°C (73–81°F)
pH
5.8–7.5
Hardness
3–15 dGH (54–268 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes and frozen foods.

Biology

Prefers fast flowing rivers. Forms loosely associated groups in rocky habitats or river banks. Nocturnal. Each individual fish possesses a unique spatiotemporal pattern of electric organ discharge (EOD) potentials distributed over the body surface. Chirps and EOD frequency modulations are important elements of courtship behavior and are sensitive to testosterone levels. Seems to reach sexual maturity at 1 year of age, based on breeding experiments. Tuberous electro receptors are differentiated and functional in larvae at day 9; electric organ and electro receptors both present in the larvae at the time of first exogenous feeding.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Apteronotus leptorhynchus
Family
Apteronotidae (Ghost knifefishes)
Order
Gymnotiformes (Knifefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
26.9
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: the Guianas, Brazil and Peru; rivers of Colombia and Venezuela, including the Catatumbo River.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=1)

More oddballs & predators

See all oddballs & predators

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

Last updated