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Terminal ghost knifefish (Sternarchella terminalis) — Apteronotidae

Terminal ghost knifefish

Sternarchella terminalis
Family: Apteronotidae

The Terminal ghost knifefish (Sternarchella terminalis) is a fish of the family Apteronotidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The terminal ghost knifefish is a weakly electric knifefish (Apteronotidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, brown body with a long anal fin along the belly and a small fin on the back of the tail stalk. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it explores turbid water with a weak electric field in search of insect larvae; the current cannot be felt by humans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Terminal ghost knifefish?

The Terminal ghost knifefish is mainly brown.

Where does the Terminal ghost knifefish live?

The Terminal ghost knifefish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Terminal ghost knifefish get?

The Terminal ghost knifefish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Terminal ghost knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Terminal ghost knifefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Eind-mesvis sourced
English name
Terminal ghost knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Sternarchella terminalis
Family
Apteronotidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

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 Sternarchella

More from the family Apteronotidae

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