Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Suborder Sternopygoidei Scientific name Rhamphichthyidae | Phylum Chordata Order Gymnotiformes Superfamily Rhamphichthyoidea Rank Family | |
 | ||
Similar Hypopomidae, Rhamphichthys, Glass knifefish, Naked‑back knifefish, Gymnotiformes | ||
Sand knifefish are freshwater electric fish of the Rhamphichthyidae family, from South America. There are only 3 genera and 16 species in this group.
Just like most part of the members of the Gymnotiformes group, they also have elongated and compressed bodies and electric organs. The long anal fin actually extends from before the pectoral fins to the tip of the tail. There is no dorsal fin. Teeth are absent in the oral jaws and the snout is very long and tubular. The nostrils are very close together. This group is sometimes known as the tubesnout knifefishes for this reason.
They are nocturnal and burrow in the sand during the day.
Genera
This family contains the following genera:
References
Rhamphichthyidae Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA