Striped knifefish (Gymnotus carapo) is found in the mainland of tropical South America. Although this species can reach a length over 20 inches, most specimens are less than 12-14 inches in length. This fish is dark brown colored marked with pale vertical bands. Or perhaps it could be described as pale colored marked with black edged vertical brown bands. There is a single long wavy edged fin along the underside of the body. There is no dorsal fin.

The knifefishes are found in freshwater in the New World tropics. The knifefishes are a group of eel like fish frequently lacking a dorsal fin. There are about 50 species in this family. (Some authors include the electric eel in this family. Herein, we place that in a separate family, Electrophoridae.)

Order Cypriniformes contains the majority of the world's freshwater species of fish. Included in this order are the minnows, carp, and many other groups of fish.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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