Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gymnotiformes (Knifefishes) >
Rhamphichthyidae (Sand knifefishes)
Etymology: Rhamphichthys: Greek, rhamphos = bill, peak + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335); drepanium: drepanium to refer to the sickle-shaped pattern of the upper part of the oblique transversal dark bars of the body (Ref. 35403).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
South America: Amazon, and Orinoco basins.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 45.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 35403)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0. Swim-bladder in adults reduced to a small narrow tube-like body generally thick-walled; oblique transversal dark bars interrupted dorsally, not crossing or reaching the sagittal line, the upper extremities of these bars being widened resembling the form of a small sickle. Anal fin rays 308-417; no caudal fin (Ref. 30543).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Triques, M.L., 1999. Three new species of Rhamphichthys Müller et Troschel, 1846 (Ostariophysi: Gymnnotiformes: Rhamphichthyidae). Rev. Fr. Aquariol. 26(1-2):1-6. (Ref. 35403)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2 (Global))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804) |
PD50 = 0.5010 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high]. |
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Bayesian length-weight
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a=0.00269 (0.00108 - 0.00670), b=3.07 (2.85 - 3.29), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245). |
Trophic level (Ref. 69278) |
3.2 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives |
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref. 59153) |
Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100). 🛈 |