Gymnotus esmeraldas Albert & Crampton, 2003

Family:  Gymnotidae (Naked-back knifefishes), subfamily: Gymnotinae
Max. size:  30.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Río Esmeraldas and the Río Palenqué, Guayaquil basin.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal soft rays: 226-260. Absence of alternating dark and light pigment bands on the anterior 80% of the body. Specimens from the Río Esmeraldas basin with a unique speckled color patter composed of irregular pale yellow or cream-colored patches interspersed on a dark brown ground color over most body and anal fin surfaces, in which the pale pigment patches are abut 2-3 scales in width and height (Ref. 49716).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 October 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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