I read about the knifefish electric field used for navigation and hunting in a TFH and I was just wondering if that field extends through the glass? If so I imagine a human feels pretty crazy!
Anybody know?
Anybody know?
Does the electric field extend outside the aquaium?
- Thread starter Diogenes
- Start date
I doubt it could accurately use an electric field through glass and in a space absent of water (air).
Diogenes;3537001; said:
i really dont think its big enough to make a difference .. i have a 18" royal that i have to touch from time to time to get him out of his "spot" .. .never a big deal ..
It doesn't, glass is an insulator...otherwise electric eels could shock through the glass.
Also, there is a difference between Gymnotiform knives (South Am.) and Notopterid knives (Old World). Only the South Am. produce electric fields. Well...and Aba Aba, but those aren't really knifefish...
Also, there is a difference between Gymnotiform knives (South Am.) and Notopterid knives (Old World). Only the South Am. produce electric fields. Well...and Aba Aba, but those aren't really knifefish...
Another point I just thought of...I would say that the electrical field must have some range outside of the water...I had two Orthosternarchus tamandua (almost totally blind species) both jump through a single 1x4cm gap in the middle of the lid, both during the same night. Way too coincidental to be done without some sort of sensory navigation...
Is the fiield on these fish actually electric, or is it magnetic? Although electricity and magnetism are closely linked, insulators which stop electricity are transparent to magnetism, which is why magnetic mounts for powerheads, as well as magnetic glass scrubbers work through the glass walls of the tank.
I believe it is a weak electric field they generate - not able to pass through glass . That being said my knife can detect the lights above turning on so they must be able to receive signals generated from external sources .ron521;3537151; said:
this is kind of old thread but i would think they could sense a little outside of the glass, i say this because with my bgk even when he is out of his house as soon as i walk up to the tank (without casting shadow or anything) he directly moves back into his "cave" and as much as he bumps into things i would think he would be too blind to actually see me, so i think he must be able to sense somewhat when i am close to the tank
No, their electric field does not extend beyond the glass. Electricity is stopped by insulators like glass and conducted by the water. If electricity could pass through glass, an electric fish wouldn't be able to sense it, not to mention their electric fields are too weak to sense much in air anyway.
Any reaction of a fish to anything outside of the tank is most likely an effect of sight. They do have eyes, you know.
Any reaction of a fish to anything outside of the tank is most likely an effect of sight. They do have eyes, you know.