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Cataniapo banded knifefish (Gymnotus cataniapo) — Gymnotidae

Cataniapo banded knifefish

Gymnotus cataniapo
Family: Gymnotidae

The Cataniapo banded knifefish (Gymnotus cataniapo) is a freshwater fish of the family Gymnotidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
31.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cataniapo banded knifefish is a weakly electric knifefish (Gymnotidae) from slow-flowing, shaded rivers of the Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed, brown-banded body with a long anal fin with which it swims forward and backward in waves and a pointed tail. With a weak electric field it navigates and hunts insect larvae, shrimp and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cataniapo banded knifefish?

The Cataniapo banded knifefish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Cataniapo banded knifefish live?

The Cataniapo banded knifefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cataniapo banded knifefish get?

The Cataniapo banded knifefish grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Cataniapo banded knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cataniapo banded knifefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cataniapo-mesvis sourced
English name
Cataniapo banded knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Gymnotus cataniapo
Family
Gymnotidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gymnotus

More from the family Gymnotidae

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