Neotropical Knifefishes

The Gymnotiformes are an order of teleost bony fishes commonly known as Neotropical knifefish or South American knifefish, which inhabit fresh water (the only exceptions are species that occasionally may visit brackish water to feed). These mostly nocturnal fish have long bodies and swim using undulations of their elongated anal fin. They are electric fish, are capable of producing electric fields for various purposes, such as detecting prey, for navigation, communication, and, in the case of the electric eels (Electrophorus spp.), attack and defense. A few species are familiar to the aquarium trade, such as the black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons), the glass knifefish (Eigenmannia virescens), and the banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo).