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Others
/ Knifefish / Glass Knife Fish
Glass Knife Fish, Green Knife Fish
Eigenmannia virescens | Pictures
[Pictures]
Synonyms: Cryptops
humboldtii, C. lienatus, C. virescens,
Eigenmannia lineata, E. humboldtii, Sternarchus virescens, Sternopygus humboldtii, S. lineatus
Physical description: An elongated fish that lacks a caudal fin.
The body is transparent but light brown
colored.
Sometimes the flanks may have a green iridescence.
The backbone can be seen through the
body.
Two fine, lateral stripes are present; on that runs along the base of the transparent anal fin,
and the other located just above this stripe.
The head is dark brown to pinkish beige.
Size/Length: Males to 18" (46 cm), females rarely exceed 11" (28 cm)
Similar species: Other Eigenmannia
species
S: bottom, middle
Habitat: South America; underneath islands of floating meadows in floodplains in the Amazon
basin
Aquarium: A tank measuring 48" (122 cm)
with a capacity of 55 gallons (209 L) is recommended.
Plant
the tank heavily and use a cover of floating plants to diffuse the lighting.
Provide plenty of hiding places among
rocks, wood, and pipes.
This species prefers "old water."
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.9); 4-15 dH (10); 73-82°F (23-28°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful Knifefish that, unusually, should be kept in groups.
A social structure will be formed with
a dominant fish and weaker members.
Combine with peaceful species too large to swallow.
Suggested companions: Loricarids, Armored Catfish, Doradids, larger tetras, dwarf Acaras, Angelfish, Headstanders
FOOD: Live; small fish, snails, crustaceans, earthworms, mosquito larvae,
Tubifex ;
tablets, acclimated individuals may accept flakes.
Sexual differences: Males are obviously larger and have a larger caudal penuncle.
Breeding techniques: Stimulating the rainy season helps initiate spawning.
Use soft water (2-4 dH). Spawning takes
place in the early morning hours. Eggs are laid in small amounts during each pairing, which lasts from 3-6 hours.
In
all, 100-200 eggs are usually laid on roots of floating plants. Remove eggs and transfer them to rearing tank.
Raise
the fry on Artemia
nauplii.
Breeding potential: 9.
Breeding is very difficult.
Remarks: During spawning, the Glass Knife Fish emits electrical signals.
These electrical signals can be heard
with the aid of an amplifier, a speaker, and two electrodes. These signals produce songs that are thought to help
fish to pair up.
Use a good water conditioner.
Sensitive to new water added during water changes. Prefer water that
has been standing for a while.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This nocturnal species requires a diet of live foods and is sensitive to changing water
conditions.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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