Home · Sternopygidae · Glass knifefish
Glass knifefish (Sternopygus aequilabiatus) — Sternopygidae

Glass knifefish

Sternopygus aequilabiatus
Family: Sternopygidae

The Glass knifefish (Sternopygus aequilabiatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Sternopygidae that grows up to 81 cm.

Length
81 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The glass knifefish is a weakly electric knifefish (Sternopygidae) from fresh water of northwestern South America. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, rearward-tapering, brown body with large eyes and a very long anal fin along the belly with which it swims smoothly forwards and backwards. As a nocturnal fish it explores slow rivers and banks with a weak electric field in search of insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Glass knifefish?

The Glass knifefish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Glass knifefish live?

The Glass knifefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Glass knifefish get?

The Glass knifefish grows to a maximum of about 81 cm.

Is the Glass knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Glass knifefish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Glas-mesvis sourced
English name
Glass knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Sternopygus aequilabiatus
Family
Sternopygidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
81.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
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

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 Sternopygus

More from the family Sternopygidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →