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Pig-nosed knifefish (Sternarchogiton porcinum) — Apteronotidae

Pig-nosed knifefish

Sternarchogiton porcinum
Family: Apteronotidae

The Pig-nosed knifefish (Sternarchogiton porcinum) is a freshwater fish of the family Apteronotidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pig-nosed knifefish is a weakly electric ghost knifefish (Apteronotidae) from large, deep rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed body with a strikingly blunt, pig-nosed snout and a long anal fin with which it swims forward and backward in waves. With a weak electric field it navigates the dark, turbid water and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pig-nosed knifefish?

The Pig-nosed knifefish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pig-nosed knifefish live?

The Pig-nosed knifefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pig-nosed knifefish get?

The Pig-nosed knifefish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Pig-nosed knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pig-nosed knifefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Varkensneus-mesvis sourced
English name
Pig-nosed knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Sternarchogiton porcinum
Family
Apteronotidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Apteronotidae

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