Otis Singleton
The electric eel, a member of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, has had several names throughout history. The species now defined as Electrophorus electricus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766 as Gymnotus electricus. The name is derived from the Greek words ήλεκτρον ('amber') and φέρω ('I carry'), translating to 'electricity bearer'. Interestingly, the word 'electric' was used in English before the concept of electricity, and the electric eel had various colloquial names, such as ''The Thunderer of the Nile' and 'shrieking eels'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | The name comes from the Greek words "ḗlektron" (amber) and phérō (I carry), translating to "electricity bearer" |
| Previous names | The Thunderer of the Nile, Shrieking eels |
| Scientific classification | Members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, more closely related to carp and catfish |
| Species | E. electricus, E. voltai, and E. varii |
| Habitat | Streams and ponds of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America |
| Diet | Fish, amphibians, birds, and small mammals |
| Physical characteristics | Long, cylindrical bodies with flattened heads; dark green or grayish on top with yellowish coloring underneath |
| Electric organs | Three: the main organ, Hunter's organ, and Sach's organ |
| Electric charge | High-voltage pulses ranging from less than 10 volts to over 56.5 volts |
| Purpose of electric charge | Stunning prey, defence against predators, electrolocation, and communication |
| Length | Up to 8 feet |
| Weight | Up to 44 pounds |
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What You'll Learn
The Thunderer of the Nile
Electric eels, despite their name, are not true eels but are more closely related to carp and catfish. They are native to the Amazon jungle and were first described in 1799 when electricity was already being studied.
The name "electric eel" comes from the Greek words "ήλεκτρον" ('elektron', meaning 'amber', a substance that can hold static electricity) and "φέρω" ('phéro', meaning 'I carry'), giving the meaning 'electricity bearer'.
However, before they were called electric eels, the ancient Egyptians referred to one species of electric fish as "The Thunderer of the Nile". This name likely referred to the powerful electric shocks that the fish can produce to stun prey and deter predators.
The electric eel's scientific classification is Electrophorus electricus, and they have three electric organs: the main organ, Hunter's organ, and Sach's organ. These organs are made up of modified muscle cells or electrocytes, which store power like tiny batteries.
In summary, the electric eel, or "The Thunderer of the Nile", is a fascinating creature with a powerful ability to generate electricity, likely inspiring its various names throughout history.
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Shrieking eels
Electric eels are elongated, freshwater knifefishes native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. They are known for their ability to produce powerful electric shocks, which they use to stun prey and defend themselves against predators. These eels have three electric organs—the main organ, Hunter's organ, and Sach's organ—which are made up of modified muscle cells called electrocytes.
In the eighteenth century, electric eels were known by many different names. For example, the Egyptians referred to one species of electric fish as "The Thunderer of the Nile." In 1776, John Walsh demonstrated that these fish could spark, and they were transported to London for further study.
It is possible that the term "shrieking eels" was used to describe the sound that these eels made when they discharged electricity, or the reaction of those who encountered them. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this claim, and it remains a matter of speculation.
Today, electric eels are recognized as impressive and unique creatures, with the ability to grow to over 8 feet in length and weigh up to 44 pounds. Their electrical capabilities and nocturnal habits continue to fascinate scientists and enthusiasts alike.
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Gymnotus electricus
Electric eels, despite their name, are not true eels but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes. They are more closely related to carp and catfish. The first written mention of the electric eel was in records by the Jesuit priest Fernão Cardim in 1583, who referred to it as "puraké", meaning "the one that numbs" in Tupi.
In 1766, Carl Linnaeus described the species now defined as Electrophorus electricus and used the name Gymnotus electricus, placing it in the same genus as Gymnotus carapo, the banded knifefish. In 1775, John Hunter, a surgeon and anatomist, dissected an electric eel and reported his findings to the Royal Society, noting that it "appears very much like an eel [...] but it has none of the specific properties of that fish." He observed that there were "two pairs of these [electric] organs, a larger [the main organ] and a smaller [Hunter's organ]; one being placed on each side."
In 1864, Theodore Gill moved the electric eel to its own genus, Electrophorus, and in 1872, he decided that it was distinct enough to have its own family, Electrophoridae. However, in 1998, Albert and Campos-da-Paz lumped the Electrophorus genus back together with the family Gymnotidae.
In 2019, C. David de Santana and colleagues divided E. electricus into three species: E. electricus, E. voltai, and E. varii, based on DNA divergence, ecology, anatomy, physiology, and electrical ability. E. electricus is now considered a narrower category than before. It is still the most well-known species of electric eel and has been prominent in the study of bioelectricity since the 18th century.
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Electric catfishes
Electric catfish, or Malapterurus electricus, are one of about 18 species of freshwater catfish native to tropical Africa. They are thickset fish with six mouth barbels and a single adipose fin on their back, just before the rounded tail fin. They are brownish or grayish, irregularly spotted with black, and can grow to about 1.2 metres (4 feet) in length and 23 kilograms (51 pounds) in weight. Some sources state that the largest can grow to about 1.2 meters (3 ft) and 20 kg (44 lb).
Electric catfish are nocturnal and spend most of the day hiding under shelter. They are most active for 4 to 5 hours after sunset, which is when they hunt and feed. Due to their very small eyes, they rely almost exclusively on their EODs (electrical organ discharges) to hunt and navigate. They are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their territory using their EODs.
Electric catfish are capable of generating and controlling discharges of up to 450 volts of electricity, which they use to defend themselves and capture prey. The electric organ is composed of modified muscle tissue and forms a fine, gelatinous layer directly beneath the soft, naked skin of the fish.
Electric catfish have been known to humans for thousands of years. They were well-known to the ancient Egyptians, who depicted them in mural paintings and used their electric shocks to treat arthritis pain. The first known depiction of an electric catfish is on a slate palette of the predynastic Egyptian ruler Narmer, dating back to around 3100 BC. In the 12th century, the Arab physician Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi also provided an account of the electric catfish's electric properties, referring to the fish as الرعد el raad, or "thunder".
Today, electric catfish are sometimes kept in home aquariums and are also eaten as food in parts of Africa. Along the shores of Lake Kainji, smoked electric catfish is a popular delicacy.
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South American eels
Electric eels, despite their name, are not closely related to true eels (Anguilliformes). They are, in fact, members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, which is more closely related to catfish. Electric eels are neotropical freshwater fish native to South America, specifically the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They are known for their ability to generate powerful electric shocks to stun prey and deter predators.
The history of the electric eel's scientific classification dates back to 1766 when Carl Linnaeus described the species based on early field research conducted in South America. He named the species Gymnotus electricus, placing it in the same genus as the banded knifefish (Gymnotus carapo). In 1864, Theodore Gill proposed moving the electric eel to its own genus, Electrophorus, recognising its distinct characteristics. This genus name derives from the Greek words "ḗlektron," meaning amber, a substance that can hold static electricity, and "phérō," meaning "I carry," thus translating to "electricity bearer."
In 2019, a significant revision occurred when C. David de Santana and colleagues divided the Electrophorus genus into three distinct species based on DNA divergence, ecology, anatomy, physiology, and electrical ability. These three species are E. electricus, E. voltai, and E. varii. E. electricus is found in the northern region of South America, confined to the Guiana Shield. E. voltai ranges from the Brazilian shield northwards, while E. varii inhabits the central lowlands, with habitats including streams, grasslands, ravines, and ponds.
Electric eels have long, cylindrical bodies that are generally dark green or grayish on top and yellowish underneath. They are nocturnal predators, primarily feeding on fish but also known to consume amphibians, birds, and small mammals. They possess poor eyesight but utilise electrolocation to navigate and locate prey by emitting low-level electric charges. Electric eels can grow to impressive sizes, exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing up to 44 pounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric eels were called 'The Thunderer of the Nile' by the Egyptians. They were also referred to as torpedoes and Malopterurus in antiquity.
The name "electric eel" comes from the Greek words "ήλεκτρον" ("elektron," meaning "amber," a substance that can hold static electricity) and "φέρω" ("pherō," meaning "I carry"), resulting in the meaning "electricity bearer."
Electric eels are not true eels but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, which is more closely related to carp and catfish.
