African Knifefish Xenomystus nigri

The African Knifefish is native to slow rivers, lakes and swamps of West Africa, Chad, the Congo and the Nile. It is often called the African Black Knifefish (its scientific name) or the African Brown Knifefish (its usual colour) to distinguish from the electric knifefish in the same range which is also called the African Knifefish, Gymnarchus niloticus, related to South American knifefish, and from other African knifefish in the Papyrocranus genus. Pescivorous and mainly nocturnal, it has large eyes, sensitive barbels and a sensory lateral line down its aerodynamic body. It can make sounds to communicate. Knifefish are named after their shape and the long anal fin covering most of their underside like a blade, albeit ribbonlike for motion control. They grow to a foot (30cm) long.