Brachyhypopomus
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| Brachyhypopomus | |
|---|---|
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| Brachyhypopomus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gymnotiformes |
| Family: | Hypopomidae |
| Genus: | Brachyhypopomus Mago-Leccia, 1994[1] |
| Type species | |
| Rhamphichthys brevirostris Steindachner, 1868[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Brachyhypopomus is a genus of fish in the family Hypopomidae (bluntnose knifefish) native primarily to tropical and subtropical South America (south to the Río de la Plata Basin), although a single species, B. occidentalis, also occurs in Panama and Costa Rica.[2][3] They are found in a wide range of static or slow-flowing freshwater habitats such as edges of rivers, streams, floodplains and swamps, but they are absent from deep river channels (a habitat of many other knifefish).[3] There are both species in well-oxygenated waters and poorly oxygenated waters; those in the latter have adaptions that allow them to survive this like larger gills or the capability of gulping up mouthfuls of air from the water surface.[3][4] Brachyhypopomus feed during the night on small invertebrates.[3]
They are small to medium sized knifefish, reaching up to 12–46 cm (4.7–18.1 in) in total length depending on the species involved.[2][3] Overall the various species are similar in general shape, but they do differ in morphometrics and meristics. They vary in general color and pattern, but are well-camouflaged and typically brownish. During the night they change color and become very pale, even species that are dark-colored during the day. Brachyhypopomus are very similar to Microsternarchus and Procerusternarchus.[3]