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Edit Xenomystus nigri

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Name

Scientific name

Xenomystus nigri

Described by

Not recorded

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Where does this come from?

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Family

Notopteridae

Common names

African Knifefish

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

The African knifefish, Xenomystus nigri, is a notopterid recorded from numerous African rivers, including the Nile, Congo and Niger systems…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

300mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 38 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 23–28°C, pH 5.8–7.5

Hardness

1–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Social needs

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Not recorded

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Has a diffuse natural distribution covering parts of Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Chad, Liberia, Gabon, Togo, Sudan, Benin, Sierra L…

Habitat

Said to be found most often in stiller, overgrown waters. Its sizeable natural range, various biological adaptations and ease of captive maintenance would seem…

Aquarium size

Something around 120 ∗ 45 ∗ 38 cm - ~205 litres in size would be big enough to house one of these for life.

Maintenance

Ideally the tank should contain some areas of dense planting. At the very least provide dim lighting and cover in some shape or form. Clay flowerpots, smooth s…

Water conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C pH: 5.8 - 7.5 Hardness: 1-20°H

Diet

Like all Notopterids X. nigri is primarily carnivorous. It readily adapts to being fed in the aquarium and will accept most meaty live and frozen. Some specime…

Behaviour and compatibility

Do not keep with any fish so small as to be regarded as food. Good tankmate choices include larger characins, medium sized peaceful cichlids, butterfly fish an…

Sexual dimorphism

Females are plumper when full of eggs. Otherwise difficult to sex.

Reproduction

Has occured in aquaria but infrequently and few details are available. The pair produce characteristic barking sounds during courtship. The male will then guar…

Notes

Originally classified in the genus Notopterus and reclassified in 1984, this is now the only described species of Xenomystus and has several interesting charac…

References

References

No references