Difference between revisions of "Gymnarchus niloticus"

From The Aquarium Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 68: Line 68:
  
 
== Identification ==
 
== Identification ==
:A very large fish, the body is a dull grey/black colour that's long and tapers towards the tail. Lacks ventral, anal and caudal fins. Albino varieties also exist.
+
:A very large fish, the body is a dull grey/black colour that's long and tapers towards the tail. Lacks ventral, anal and caudal fins. Albino varieties also exist. The main fin it uses to move around is along its back (dorsal), unlike other knifefish, where it's along the belly (ventral).
 
 
The main fin it uses to move around is along its back (dorsal), unlike other knifefish, where it's along the belly (ventral).
 
  
  
Line 76: Line 74:
 
|Category=Fish, Fish (Freshwater), Oddballs, Knifefish
 
|Category=Fish, Fish (Freshwater), Oddballs, Knifefish
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
== Pictures ==
 
== Pictures ==
 
== Videos ==
 
{|
 
|-
 
|
 
|-
 
|<youtube>DHm7JimO-rw</youtube>
 
|}
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 18:56, 17 December 2017

Aba Aba

Gymnarchus niloticus005.JPG
Aba Aba

Gymnarchus niloticus

1136 Litres (300 US G.)

160-167 cm (63-65.7")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.5 - 8.0

23 -28 °C (73.4-82.4°F)

10-25 °d

1:1 M:F

Carnivore
Live Foods

4-14 years

Family

Gymnarchidae



Additional names

Aba Aba, Aba, African Knifefish, Frankfish


Origin

Found in Africa occurring widely in the Nile, Niger, Volta, Chad, Senegal and Gambia basins and Lake Rudolf.[1]


Sexing

Impossible to sex, and only able to breed in very large aquaria of at least 3785 Litres (1000 US G.). They are mouthbrooders, the male carries the eggs in his mouth until they hatch.


Tank compatibility

A solitary fish. Keep in a lone species tank, anything the fish is in with is endanger of being eaten or injured.


Diet

A nocturnal hunter. Has an organ extending the entire length of its body that emits an electrical pulse to help it to hunt. Has very poor eyesight. Can be fed foods such as krill or bloodworms when young, will need to be fed larger meaty foods when adult.


Feeding regime

Nocturnal feeder, feed after lights out. Feeds on crustaceans, insects and fish.


Environment specifics

Bare aquascaping is best, any décor should be heavy and secure. Hide equipment such as heaters and they are in danger of being broken by this very large fish.


Behaviour

Fairly peaceful when young, but as it grows it becomes aggressive and will bite anything that comes near it.


Identification

A very large fish, the body is a dull grey/black colour that's long and tapers towards the tail. Lacks ventral, anal and caudal fins. Albino varieties also exist. The main fin it uses to move around is along its back (dorsal), unlike other knifefish, where it's along the belly (ventral).

Pictures

References

  1. Fishbase (Mirrors: Icons-flag-us.png) Distribution

External links