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Tubesnout knifefish (Platyurosternarchus macrostomus) — Apteronotidae

Tubesnout knifefish

Platyurosternarchus macrostomus
Family: Apteronotidae

The Tubesnout knifefish (Platyurosternarchus macrostomus) is a fish of the family Apteronotidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The tubesnout knifefish is a weakly electric knifefish (Apteronotidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, brown body with a strikingly long, tubular snout and a long anal fin along the belly with which it swims smoothly forwards and backwards. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it explores turbid water with a weak electric field; the current cannot be felt by humans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tubesnout knifefish?

The Tubesnout knifefish is mainly brown.

Where does the Tubesnout knifefish live?

The Tubesnout knifefish is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Tubesnout knifefish get?

The Tubesnout knifefish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Tubesnout knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tubesnout knifefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Snuit-mesvis sourced
English name
Tubesnout knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Platyurosternarchus macrostomus
Family
Apteronotidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
30 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Apteronotidae

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