From Peru we have received exceptionally nice knifefishes of the species Steatogenys duidae. According to current knowledge the genus Steatogenys comprises three species, all of which have zebra-like stripes. With a final length of about 20 cm they remain comparatively small, only S. ocellatus grows significantly larger at 30 cm. The three species are very similar in color. The best way to distinguish them is by the anal fin coloration. S. elegans has a mostly colorless anal fin, this fin is strongly marbled/striped in S. duidae and dark with light spots along the ventral side in S. ocellatus.
Steatogenys are considered comparatively peaceful towards each other and towards other species of fish. Mainly small invertebrates, like mosquito larvae, crustaceans or worms are eaten.
Around the mouth the animals have extremely distinctive sensory pits. With this they can still perceive the electrical activity of the muscles of a wriggling worm. The eyes are overgrown with a fine skin and are not very functional. This clearly shows that these knifefishes, which are found in nature in the terra firme forests of the entire Amazon and Orinoco basins in smaller flowing waters, do not search for and find their food visually, but sensory.
For our customers: the animals have code 293824 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
