White Tamandua Knifefish (Orthosternarchus tamandua)

The bizarre White Tamandua Knifefish is widespread throughout the Amazon and its tributaries but is rarely encountered due to the depths it inhabits (18 – 30 feet). Its deep water habitat in the main river channels is almost entirely dark in most cases, and the fish exhibits a cave fish-like appearance because of this. Like most knifefish, it relies on its ability to sense electrical discharges to navigate and find food. In the aquarium, they are best kept in a specialized tank with few if any tankmates. They are slow to feed at first and may require live foods but will generally learn to take frozen over time. As a large growing, open water swimmer, they will require a very large aquarium built around meeting their unique care requirements.