Naked-back knifefishes | |
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Electric eel, Electrophorus electricus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Gymnotiformes |
Suborder: | Gymnotoidei |
Family: | Gymnotidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
Genera | |
The naked-back knifefishes are a family (Gymnotidae) of knifefishes found only in fresh waters of Central America and South America. All have organs adapted to electroreception. The family has about 43 valid species in two genera.[1] These fish are nocturnal and mostly occur in quiet waters from deep rivers to swamps. In strongly flowing waters, they may bury themselves.[2]