The Gymnotiform reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Gymnotiform

Gymnotiformes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Gymnotiformes
Families
Apteronotidae (ghost knifefishes)     Eigenmanniidae (obsolete?)     Gymnotidae (naked-back knifefishes         and electric eels)     Hypopomidae     Rhamphichthyidae     Sternopygidae

The gymnotiforms are an order (Gymnotiformes) of knifefishes that have organss adapted to the exploitation of bioelectricity. The best-known member is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), which uses powerful electric shocks for both hunting and self-defense, but other members of the order also generate electric fields, using them for locating food and breeding.

External link

• Gymnotiform overview
• Photos of various gymnotiforms

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