Gymnotus arapaima Albert & Crampton 2001

Possess reverse counter shading (lighter on top) in which the dark bands are interrupted dorsally and the pale interband regions merge on the dorsum and in which the dorsum has a silver-blue sheen in life, and very large anterior nares (diameter about that of eye), associated with a large cleft in the anterolateral margin of the ethmoid region resulting in a square anterior margin of snout between the anterior nares. With deep body (body depth 11-13% TL versus 6-10): long head (head length 12.7-13.6% TL versus 8.8-12.6), and depressed head (head depth 53-57% TL versus 58-64) (Ref. 41292).

Juveniles commonly collected in várzea floating meadows, adults in várzea flooded forest but rarely caught in floating meadows where they are presumed to spawn.

Juveniles commonly collected in várzea floating meadows, adults in várzea flooded forest but rarely caught in floating meadows where they are presumed to spawn.