Zebra vs carapo?
- Thread starter tvbbnumber41
- Start date
tvbbnumber41
Looks to me like a Gymnotus mamiraua. The "zebra" name is a very broad spectrum. There isn't a defined species as a "zebra knifefish". Carapo on the other hand has a very similar pattern, but the diagonal lines seem to dissipate when it comes closer to the dorsal. Peace!
mattvmez
Peace!
mattvmez
according to seriously fishy the zebra knife is the Gymnotus pedanopterus
https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/gymnotus-pedanopterus/
but there is also the Macanan Zebra Knifefish (Gymnotus anguillaris)
I wouldn't trust any websites with Gymnotus information. Somehow, the common name "zebra knifefish" got attached to the scientific name Gymnotus pedanopterus. This was a mistake that somehow has really stuck.
The true zebra knife is Gymnotus tigre (see photo) and it has the most distinct color pattern of any Gymnotus.
Gymnotus pedanopterus really doesn't look very distinct and as far as I know it has never been exported as an aquarium fish. Unfortunately, there isn't really a great resource for telling all of the gymnotus apart. Many of them are separated by very subtle differences in head shape or bones.
The true zebra knife is Gymnotus tigre (see photo) and it has the most distinct color pattern of any Gymnotus.
Gymnotus pedanopterus really doesn't look very distinct and as far as I know it has never been exported as an aquarium fish. Unfortunately, there isn't really a great resource for telling all of the gymnotus apart. Many of them are separated by very subtle differences in head shape or bones.
blackbullhead
I second you! The "common" names are given and mistaken way too much in the aquarium hobby. I have heard Gymnotus tigre called the Zebra Knife, a Tiger Knife, a banded knife, etc. I think, anymore, its only fair to classify these fish by their given names. Still IMO, they are the most interesting species in the trade. Love to hear people debating about them. Even the exporters in SA themselves cannot correctly classify these fish. I love it!mattmez