Eigenmannia
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| Eigenmannia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eigenmannia virescens | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gymnotiformes |
| Family: | Sternopygidae |
| Subfamily: | Eigenmanniinae |
| Genus: | Eigenmannia D. S. Jordan & Evermann, 1896[1] |
| Type species | |
| Sternopygus humboldtii Steindachner, 1878[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Eigenmannia is a genus of fish in the family Sternopygidae (glass knifefishes) native to tropical and subtropical South America (south to the Río de la Plata Basin), and Panama.[2][3] They are typically found in slow-flowing streams, along the edge of large rivers, in deep river channels and in floodplains, and the genus also includes E. vicentespelaea, the only cave-adapted knifefish.[3][4] Eigenmannia are often found near submerged roots, aquatic plants and floating meadows.[4][5]
Depending on the exact species, they have a maximum total length of 14.3–49.6 cm (6–20 in).[2] They are nocturnal, and feed on small invertebrates such as aquatic insect larvae and zooplanktonic crustaceans.[4]
