Edit Apteronotus albifrons
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Name
Scientific name
Apteronotus albifrons
Described by
Authority Linnaeus, Year 1766, Bracketed
Family
Apteronotidae
Summary
The black ghost knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons, is a weakly electric knifefish from the upper half of South America, from Colombia to Par…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
500mm, total length
Tank size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 23–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
5–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Aggressive towards its own kind
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Supporting text
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
It has a widespread distribution throughout the upper half of South America, having been recorded in Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezu…
Habitat
Swiftly flowing streams and rivers, most often over a substrate of sand. It's also found in flooded forests during the wet season.
Aquarium size
Something in the region of 180 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm72 ∗ 24 ∗ 24 in - ~648 litres~171 US gal is the minimum required for an adult fish.
Maintenance
The choice of decor itself isn't critical, although the fish does appreciate plenty of cover. Large stones and pieces of bogwood, twisted roots, and live plant…
Water conditions
Temperature: 23 – 28 °C73 – 82 °F pH: 6.0-8.0 Hardness: 5-10°H
Diet
A predator that feeds mainly on insects and worms in nature. Live and frozen foods should thus form a large part of the diet. It is particularly fond of meaty …
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally peaceful to the point of timidity, although larger specimens are likely to eat small fish. It will not do well with very active or aggressive tankmat…
Sexual dimorphism
Unknown.
Reproduction
Not bred in home aquaria. It is bred commercially in Indonesia, in large outdoor ponds.
Notes
A strikingly marked fish and an interesting addition to a South American community tank. Many fishkeepers buy this fish as a cute 4" specimen, completely unawa…
References
References
No references