New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Barred knifefish

Steatogenys elegans Steindachner, 1880
Max Length
29.4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Barred knifefish (Steatogenys elegans) is a ray-finned fish of the family Rhamphichthyidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 29.4 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Steatogenys elegans
Authority
Steindachner, 1880
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
29.4 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Water Temp
22–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Anal soft rays: 110 - 196.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Barred knifefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Barred knifefish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Barred knifefish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 6.5; dH range: ? - 12. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C South America: Guianas and the Amazon River basin.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.2±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00269 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
29.4cm
Anal Rays
153

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–26°C
pH Range
6–6.5
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Steindachner, 1880

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Brachyhypopomus elegans Steindachner 1880 Synonym
Brachyramphichthys elegans Steindachner 1880 Synonym
Rhamphichthys elegans Steindachner 1880 Synonym
Rhamphichthys mirabilis Steindachner 1880 Synonym
Steatogenes elegans Steindachner 1880 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Barred knifefish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.