Black ghost knifefish
Apteronotus albifrons
50 cm
Adult size
800 L
Minimum volume
1
Minimum group
15 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Apteronotus
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- solitary
In the wild
Overview
This black knifefish with white markings swims in every direction by rippling its long ventral fin. It gives off weak electric discharges and senses its surroundings through electroreceptors spread over its whole body. Often sold at 10 cm, it can grow large.
- Scientific name
- Apteronotus albifrons (Linnaeus, 1766)
- Classification
- Gymnotiformes › Apteronotidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
South America, from Venezuela to Paraguay: Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná basins
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in fast-flowing streams and rivers, most often over sand, and moves into flooded forest during the rainy season. It is nocturnal.
Behaviour
Peaceful to the point of shyness, it nonetheless eats small fish as it grows: its companions must exceed about fifteen centimetres (Geophagus, Satanoperca, angelfish, discus). A predator of insects and worms, it needs live or frozen prey. The adult requires a very large aquarium, strong filtration and spotless water.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth