Gymnotiformes

The Gymnotiformes is an order of teleosts which are electric fish. Common names are Neotropical knifefish or South American knifefish. They are mainly nocturnal freshwater fish. Their muscles create an electric field.

Gymnotiformes Temporal range: Late Jurassic – Recent
Black ghost knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Superorder:	Ostariophysi
Order:	Gymnotiformes
Families
Apteronotidae Gymnotidae Hypopomidae Rhamphichthyidae Sternopygidae

Gymnotiformes are slender fish with narrow bodies and tapering tails. Their common name is "knifefish".

Perhaps the best-known species is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) which uses powerful electric shocks (up to 600 V) for hunting and self-defense.

There are several other species familiar in the aquarium trade: the black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons), the glass knifefish (Eigenmannia virescens), and the banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo).

Gymnotiformes Media

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  Despite the name, the Electric Eel is a type of knifefish

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  FMIB 51852 Electric Catfish, Torpedo electricus (Gmelin) Congo River

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  Sternarchorhynchus oxyrhynchus

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  Hypopomidae Steatogenys elgans (cropped)

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  Rhamphichthys marmoratus Cast. = Rhamphichthys marmoratus Castelnau, 1855

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  Gymnotus sp.

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  Lateral view of Electrophorus electricus

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  Sternopygidae Eigenmannia sp (white background)

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  Exodon paradoxus Castelnau