Green or Transparent knifefish; Sternatchus virescens, Sternachus virescens
Species / Type:
Community [Large Fish] types require fish of equal or large size to co-habitat with to ensure any of the inhabitants are not killed or overly harassed.
These fish are very peaceful, quite unlike other knifefishes. They actually prefer to be kept in groups of about 3 or so. If kept in groups, one fish will become the dominant, kind of like the alpha fish. They can also be kept singly, though. These fish are pretty rare, and hardly ever seen in stores. If it is a fish you would like to look into, the easiest way to find one to purchase is online. They live for about 10 years or so.
Care Information:
These fish are best kept in a tank of 55 gallons. They like to have plenty of plants and hiding spaces, since they are nocturnal. Plants that float on or slightly cover the surface are also beneficial to these fish, as they block out some of the direct light. They are a pretty peaceful fish, and can be kept with basically anything that will not fit into its mouth. Good tank mates include angelfish, armored catfish, larger tetras, plecos and dwarf acaras. Males and females differ mainly in size; males grow to 14", but females rarely pass 11". Males also have a larger caudal peduncle. The caudal peduncle contains a weak electrical organ. Glass knifefish are very sensitive to changing water conditions. When doing water changes, it is best to replace the removed tank water with water that has been standing for a day or two. Always use a water conditioner. A varied diet is best; some live foods, but also frozen. Sometimes they can be acclimated to take some flake foods.
Breeding Information:
It is difficult to breed the glass knife, though it has been done. The conditions, if possible, should simulate the Amazon's rainy season. This will help to initiate the spawning. The dH should be soft; kept between 2 and 4. They spawn in the early morning, taking from 3 to 6 hours. Eggs are laid in small amounts periodically on the roots and leaves of plants. Usually they lay 100-200 eggs, but the record is 905. Eggs should be removed and kept in a separate rearing tank of the same water conditions. Fry should be raised on brine shrimp and Artemia nauplii (with the shell removed). During mating, the glass knife emits electrical pulses in a kind of a song. This can be heard with an amplifier, a speaker, and 2 electrodes.
Suggested Resources:
Some information courtesy of:
www.mongabay.com/fish/knifefish.htm
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