Banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo)

Scientific name: Gymnotus carapo Linnaeus, 1758

The Banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo) is a freshwater fish of the family Gymnotidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Central and South America, southern Mexico to Paraguay, including Trinidad.

Banded knifefish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Aggressive. Inhabits turbid slow moving or standing waters. Found also in shallow edges of streams. Can survive when ditches, canals and small ponds dry out.. Feeds mainly at night on worms, insects (e.g. odonate larvae), shrimps, fish (preferably small characids, e.g. Ctenobrycon and Curimata) and plant matter. Oviparous. Mouth brooding by males is observed in this species. Males provide parental care in nests excavated for eggs and larvae. Uses its long anal fin for locomotion. Can distinguish between a `friendly neighbor' and a potentially `threatening stranger' based on electric organ discharge (EOD) waveform alone. Relationship between EOD pattern and agonistic behavior in this species has been demonstrated (Refs. 10531, 10532

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Gymnotus carapo
Family: Gymnotidae (Naked-back knifefishes)
Order: Gymnotiformes (Knifefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 76.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Central and South America: southern Mexico to Paraguay, including Trinidad.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2)