Gymnotus Gymnotus is a genus of Neotropical freshwater fish in the family Gymnotidae found widely in South America , Central America and southern Mexico. The greatest species richness is found in the Amazon basin . They are sometimes referred to by the English name banded knifefish , although this typically is reserved for the most widespread species, G. carapo . Overall Gymnotus is the most widespread genus in the order Gymnotiformes . Although not commonly eaten by humans, some members of this genus are used locally as fishing bait , and occasionally kept in aquariums.Habitat Gymnotus occur in virtually any freshwater habitat in their range, even those with little oxygen, areas affected by pollution, and for a period on land if their aquatic habitat dries out. Large species tend to live near floating vegetation along the edges of large rivers or floodplains, while smaller tend to live among leaf-litter or near banks of small streams. The genus includes both widespread and common species that occur in many different habitat types, and more restricted and rare species that occur in fewer habitats. There are species that remain in the same habitat throughout their lives, while others breed in specific habitats and spend the rest of their time elsewhere. At least as many as five species of Gymnotus may occur together in the same region and habitat.Behavior Gymnotus species are nocturnal and mainly feed on aquatic insects , crustaceans, small fish and other small animals, but may also take plant material . Being electric fish , they generate weak electric fields used for navigation, finding prey and communicating with other individuals of their species. At least some species are highly territorial and will react aggressively if detecting the electric field of another individual of their species, especially between conspecific males. The electric signal is species specific, and tends to differ between males and females. However, Gymnotus are not able to generate a strong electric field that can be used for incapacitating prey or enemies, like the related electric eel . Nothing is known about the breeding behavior of most members of this genus, but in two species, G. carapo and G. mamiraua , males make a "nest" and guard the young. Additionally, males of at least G. carapo will mouthbrood .Appearance Gymnotus are generally brownish with a banded pattern, but this can also be more mottled or spotted in some species. Small scales are always present on these fish. The mouth is superior, meaning it is turned upwards. The anal fin terminates at a point near the tip of the tail. Like other Neotropical knifefish , they often lose their tail due to attacks by predators or aggressive encounters with conspecifics, but they are able to regenerate it. The largest Gymnotus are up to in total length . Most species reach less than one-third that size and the smallest only around long.Species There are currently 44 recognized species in this genus: Gymnotus anguillaris Hoedeman , 1962 Gymnotus arapaima J. S. Albert & Crampton , 2001 Gymnotus ardilai Maldonado-Ocampo & J. S. Albert, 2004 Gymnotus bahianus Campos-da-Paz & W. J. E. M. Costa, 1996 Gymnotus capanema Milhomem , Crampton, Pieczarka , Shetka , D. S. Silva & Nagamachi , 2012 Gymnotus capitimaculatus Rangel-Pereira , 2014 Gymnotus carapo Linnaeus , 1758 Gymnotus cataniapo Mago-Leccia , 1994 Gymnotus chaviro Maxime & J. S. Albert, 2009 Gymnotus chimarrao Cognato , Richer-de-Forges , J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2008 Gymnotus choco J. S. Albert, Crampton & Maldonado-Ocampo, 2003 Gymnotus coatesi La Monte , 1935 Gymnotus coropinae Hoedeman, 1962 Gymnotus cuia Craig , Malabarba , Crampton & J. S. Albert, 2018 Gymnotus curupira Crampton, Thorsen & J. S. Albert, 2005 Gymnotus cylindricus La Monte, 1935 Gymnotus darwini Campos-da-Paz & de Santana , 2019 Gymnotus diamantinensis Campos-da-Paz, 2002 Gymnotus esmeraldas J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2003 Gymnotus eyra Craig, Correa-Roldán , Ortega , Crampton & J. S. Albert, 2018 Gymnotus henni J. S. Albert, Crampton & Maldonado-Ocampo, 2003 Gymnotus inaequilabiatus Gymnotus interruptus Rangel-Pereira, 2012 Gymnotus javari J. S. Albert, Crampton & Hagedorn , 2003 Gymnotus jonasi J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2001 Gymnotus maculosus J. S. Albert & R. R. Miller, 1995 Gymnotus mamiraua J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2001 Gymnotus melanopleura J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2001 Gymnotus obscurus Crampton, Thorsen & J. S. Albert, 2005 Gymnotus omarorum Richer-de-Forges, Crampton & J. S. Albert, 2009 Gymnotus onca J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2001 Gymnotus panamensis J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2003 Gymnotus pantanal Fernandes-Matioli , J. S. Albert, Daniel-Silva , C. E. Lopes, Crampton & Almeida-Toledo , 2005 Gymnotus pantherinus Gymnotus paraguensis J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2003 Gymnotus pedanopterus Mago-Leccia, 1994 Gymnotus refugio Giora & L. R. Malabarba, 2016 Gymnotus riberalta Craig, Correa-Roldán, Ortega, Crampton & J. S. Albert, 2018 Gymnotus stenoleucus Mago-Leccia, 1994 Gymnotus sylvius J. S. Albert & Fernandes-Matioli, 1999 Gymnotus tigre J. S. Albert & Crampton, 2003 Gymnotus tiquie Maxime, F. C. T. Lima & J. S. Albert, 2011 Gymnotus ucamara Crampton, Lovejoy & J. S. Albert, 2003 Gymnotus varzea Crampton, Thorsen & J. S. Albert, 2005
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