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Trompet knifefish (Rhamphichthys rostratus) — Rhamphichthyidae

Trompet knifefish

Rhamphichthys rostratus
LC · Least Concern

The Trompet knifefish (Rhamphichthys rostratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Rhamphichthyidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The longnose knifefish is a sand knifefish (Rhamphichthyidae) from South America. The species has an elongate, laterally compressed body with a conspicuously long, tube-shaped snout and a long, continuous anal fin with which it swims forwards and backwards in undulating movements. It generates a weak electric field to navigate in turbid water and find prey. Nocturnally it searches with its snout for bottom invertebrates such as insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Trompet knifefish?

The Trompet knifefish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Trompet knifefish live?

The Trompet knifefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Trompet knifefish get?

The Trompet knifefish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Trompet knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Trompet knifefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Trompet knifefish edible?

The Trompet knifefish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-mesvis sourced
English name
Trompet knifefish verified
Scientific name
Rhamphichthys rostratus
Family
Rhamphichthyidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Rhamphichthys

More from the family Rhamphichthyidae

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