Gymnorhamphichthys hypostomus Ellis, 1912
Morse Knifefish

Family:  Rhamphichthyidae (Sand knifefishes)
Max. size:  21.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: upper MamorĂ© and Orinoco River basins.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Buried in the sand during the day, emerging at dusk and remain active until just before dawn (Ref. 10809). Field observation showed that the electric organ discharge (EOD) rate of this species start rising just before sunset, increasing to over 2-folds just after dark when the fish comes out of the sand, and decreasing when the fish returns to the sand well before dawn. Experimental studies suggest internal control of this cyclic behavior (Ref. 10810). There is evidence of fractional spawning; fecundity count was 65 eggs (Ref. 10644).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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