Electric Eel

Electrophorus electricus

Species Information
Exhibit Name and Location Surviving Through Adaptations: Shocking – Main Aquarium, Level 3
Description of Animal Electrophorus electricus—everything about this eel’s scientific name says “high voltage!” Of those fishes able to generate an electrical discharge, electric eels are by far the champions, producing up to 600 volts! Electric eels live in muddy waters and have poor vision; they rely on low levels of electrical fields to navigate and explore their surroundings. Higher levels of voltage are generated to stun or kill prey and to protect eels from predators. Although not true eels, these nearly scaleless fish look the part with long, cylindrical bodies and a slightly flattened head. The electric eel has no dorsal fin, but the anal fin extends from the tip of the tail nearly to the chin. This sinuous fin flutters like a ribbon, allowing the fish to move forward and backward with equal ease.
Aquarist's Note When the eel discharges electricity at the Aquarium, visitors instantly know. An overhead light panel of different colors displays the intensity of the electric charge, and the sound – something like a pinball machine – is audible throughout the area.
Diet Juveniles feed on invertebrates such as crabs and freshwater shrimp. As adults, they eat amphibians, fishes, and crustaceans.
Size Electric eels can grow to more than 8 feet (250 cm) in length and weigh nearly 45 pounds (20 kg).
Range Electric eels are found in murky pools and calm stretches of the middle and lower Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America. With modified gills, the electric eel is well adapted to these poorly oxygenated waters because it gets most of the oxygen it needs to survive by gulping air at the surface.
Population Status Electric eels are abundant throughout their range, but cannot be collected without a scientific permit. Some areas, such as Australia, have strict laws prohibiting hobbyists from keeping electric eels because they pose a potential threat to local fish and human populations if they were to escape.
Predators These are top predators in their niche with few other animals willing or able to take on these highly charged fish.