Eigenmannia virescens (Valenciennes, 1836)
Glass knifefish
Eigenmannia virescens
photo by Galvis, G./Mojica, J.I./Camargo, M.

Family:  Sternopygidae (Glass knifefishes)
Max. size:  44 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 113.6 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7; dH range: 2 - 15
Distribution:  South America: widely distributed east of the Andes from the Orinoco to the La Plata River basins.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Known to be gregarious, timid and nocturnal (Ref. 27188). Prefers deep still waters (Ref. 75964). Found in ponds (Ref. 11229) and creeks with a substrate rich in plant debris (Ref. 12225). This gymnotiform fish can be found in colder waters of 18°C (Ref. 10011). Electric organ discharge (EOD) frequency cues have been experimentally shown to play a role in species and sex recognition in this species (Ref. 10598). Playback of a conspecific male's electric courtship display elicited spawning in ripe females. Diel rhythmic change in EOD may be manifested by the increase in EOD amplitude at night among dominant breeding males as they compete with other conspecifics (Ref. 10599). A fractional spawner; fecundity reported at 905 eggs (Ref. 10605). Males reportedly reach 45 cm TL, females to 20 cm TL (Ref. 1672).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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