Banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo) fish species and information / pictures of Banded knifefish - Gymnotus carapo

Banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo) fish species information

Scientific Name
Gymnotus carapo

Common Name
Banded knifefish

Biology
Aggressive (Ref. 27188). Inhabits turbid slow moving or standing waters (Ref. 11225). Found also in shallow edges of streams (Ref. 75964). Can survive when ditches, canals and small ponds dry out. (Ref. 11225). Feeds mainly at night on worms, insects (e.g. odonate larvae), shrimps, fish (preferably small characids, e.g. Ctenobrycon and Curimata) and plant matter (Ref. 7020; 10011). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Mouth brooding by males is observed in this species (Ref. 55570). Males provide parental care in nests excavated for eggs and larvae (Ref. 55570). 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 (Ref. 10011). Relationship between EOD pattern and agonistic behavior in this species has been demonstrated (Refs. 10531, 10532,

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Knifefishes (Gymnotiformes)

Family

Naked-back knifefishes (Gymnotidae)

Distribution

Region

Central and South America

Distribution

Central and South America: southern Mexico to Paraguay, including Trinidad.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

2.99 s.e. 0.36 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

76.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated