Gymnotus carapo Linnaeus, 1758

Banded knifefish

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Gymnotiformes \| Gymnotidae
Synonyms	Carapus macrourus, Gymnotus brachiurus, Gymnotus putaol, ... more
Common names	Cutlass fish, Gymnote rayé, Anguila, ... more

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Image of Gymnotus carapo (Banded knifefish)

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Main reference

Campos-da-Paz, R. 2003. (Ref. 36692)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Campos-da-Paz, Ricardo | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 76.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 79585); max. published weight: 1,243 g (Ref. 79585)

Environment

Benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 1672)

Central and South America: southern Mexico to Paraguay, including Trinidad.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Aggressive (Ref. 27188). Inhabits turbid slow moving or standing waters (Ref. 11225). Found also in shallow edges of streams (Ref. 75964). Can survive when ditches, canals and small ponds dry out. (Ref. 11225). Feeds mainly at night on worms, insects (e.g. odonate larvae), shrimps, fish (preferably small characids, e.g. Ctenobrycon and Curimata) and plant matter (Ref. 7020; 10011). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Mouth brooding by males is observed in this species (Ref. 55570). Males provide parental care in nests excavated for eggs and larvae (Ref. 55570). Uses its long anal fin for locomotion. Can distinguish between a `friendly neighbor' and a potentially `threatening stranger' based on electric organ discharge (EOD) waveform alone (Ref. 10011). Relationship between EOD pattern and agonistic behavior in this species has been demonstrated (Refs. 10531, 10532, 10533). Shows auditory abilities, responding best to a frequency of 1000 Hz, with an upper limit above 5000 Hz (Ref. 10831). Also responds to vibratory stimuli (water waves: 125-250 Hz) with transient increase in EOD rate (Ref. 10834). 'Prefers' temperatures of 24-25°C (Ref. 10836).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

Tools
Biogeographic modelling \| Bio-Quiz \| E-book \| Field guide \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

Special reports
Check for Aquarium maintenance \| Check for Species Fact Sheets \| Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Torres, Armi G.

Modified by Torres, Armi G.

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Page last modified by : elaxamana, 15 July 2009

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