Beatrice Lang
Electric eels are long, cylindrical fish with flattened heads that are native to the freshwaters of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers of northern South America. Despite their name, electric eels are not true eels (Anguilliformes) but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes and are more closely related to carp and catfish. The name electric eel comes from the Greek ήλεκτρον ('ḗlektron', meaning 'amber, a substance able to hold static electricity') and φέρω ('phérō', meaning 'I carry'), thus giving the meaning 'electricity bearer'. Electric eels can grow to more than 2.5 metres in length and weigh up to 22 kilograms. They are known for their ability to stun their prey by generating electricity, delivering shocks of up to 860 volts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | From the Greek "ḗlektron" (amber, a substance able to hold static electricity) and "phérō" (I carry), giving the meaning "electricity bearer" |
| Genus | Electrophorus |
| Species | E. electricus, E. varii, and E. voltai |
| Family | Gymnotidae |
| Subfamily | Electrophorinae |
| Habitat | Quiet, slow-moving waters of oxbow lakes, streams, pools, and flooded forests of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers |
| Diet | Fish, amphibians, and crustaceans |
| Length | 6-8 feet (2-2.5 meters) |
| Weight | Up to 45 pounds (20 kilograms) |
| Vision | Poor |
| Breathing | Obligate air-breathing |
| Electricity | Up to 860 volts |
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What You'll Learn
Electric eels are not true eels
Electric eels are neotropical freshwater fish from South America and the only members of the subfamily Electrophorinae. They are known for their ability to stun prey by generating electricity, delivering shocks of up to 860 volts. These eels can grow to over 8 feet in length and weigh almost 50 pounds. They have poor eyesight and use low-level electric signals to navigate and find prey. They are obligate air-breathers, surfacing for air periodically.
True eels, on the other hand, are elongated finned-fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes. There are over 800 species of true eels, ranging in length from 5 cm to 4 meters. Most true eel species primarily live in saltwater, travelling between saltwater and freshwater environments to breed. True eels can breathe underwater using their gills, whereas electric eels need to surface for air.
The distinction between electric eels and true eels is important, as they belong to different families and have different characteristics and habitats. Electric eels are found in the quiet, slow-moving waters of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins, while true eels can be found in rivers and saltwater environments. Electric eels are also known for their electric capabilities, which true eels do not possess.
In summary, despite their similar appearances and names, electric eels and true eels are not closely related. Electric eels are freshwater fish with electric capabilities, while true eels are saltwater-dwelling finned-fish. This distinction highlights the diversity within the group of fishes commonly referred to as "eels".
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They are closely related to carp and catfish
Electric eels are not closely related to true eels (Anguilliformes) but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes. They are more closely related to carp and catfish. Electric eels are large eel-shaped fish that can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length and weigh nearly 45 pounds. They are neotropical freshwater fish from South America and are the only members of the subfamily Electrophorinae.
Electric eels are known for their ability to stun prey by generating electricity, delivering shocks of up to 860 volts. They use their electric shocks to stun prey, usually smaller fish, and to keep predators at bay. They inhabit dark and muddy waters and have poor eyesight. Instead, they emit a weak electric signal to navigate, find a mate, and locate prey.
Electric eels are obligate air-breathers, which means they surface for air periodically. They have a mucous membrane in their mouths that can absorb oxygen from the air, allowing them to survive in poorly oxygenated waters. They are widely distributed across northern South America, including Brazil, the Guianas, Suriname, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They inhabit the quiet, slow-moving waters of oxbow lakes, streams, pools, and flooded forests of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
Electric eels are not very aggressive and will only attack if they feel threatened. They are top predators, with few animals willing or able to take on these highly charged fish. They are able to generate strong electric shocks by using their main electrical organ and two-thirds of the Hunter's organ. The remainder of the Hunter's organ and the Sachs' organ produce weaker electric discharges.
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They can generate powerful electric charges
Electric eels are large, eel-shaped, bony fish that can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length and weigh nearly 45 pounds. They are not true eels but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, which is more closely related to catfish and carp. They are neotropical freshwater fish from South America, specifically the Orinoco and Amazon basins, where they inhabit quiet, slow-moving waters.
Electric eels are known for their ability to generate powerful electric charges of up to 860 volts, although some sources put this figure at 650 volts or even as low as 600 volts. These charges are strong enough to stun their prey and keep predators at bay. In fact, an electric eel's shock has been known to knock a horse off its feet. They use a much stronger shock to stun their prey, usually smaller fish, and can also work together to herd prey into a small space and issue coordinated electric shocks.
The electric organs in the eel's body create both strong and weak electric charges, which are used for defense, hunting, communication, and navigation. The main electrical organ and two-thirds of the Hunter's organ produce the strongest electric pulses, while the remainder of the Hunter's organ and the Sachs' organ produce weaker discharges. These electric organs make up about 80% of the fish's body.
The electricity generated by electric eels is also likely transferring eDNA into fish larvae, which may be causing genetic modifications. Additionally, water is a good conductor of electricity, so an electric pulse delivered through the water will feel less painful for a predator than one delivered outside of the water. This is advantageous for electric eels as they inhabit poorly oxygenated waters, making them more vulnerable to predators during the dry season.
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They use electricity to navigate and find prey
Electric eels are not closely related to true eels (Anguilliformes) but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes. They are poor swimmers with poor eyesight, so they use electricity to navigate and find prey.
Electric eels inhabit quiet, slow-moving waters, muddy ponds, and pools with poorly oxygenated water. They are obligate air-breathers, which means they surface for air periodically. Their mouths are heavily vascularized with folds that increase the surface area, allowing them to breathe air. They live in dark, murky waters, so they use electricity to navigate and find prey.
Electric eels have motion-sensitive hairs along their bodies (the lateral line system) that detect any slight pressure change in the surrounding water. When they suspect prey is nearby, they emit two rapid electric pulses, called a doublet. This doublet affects the muscles of the prey, causing it to twitch involuntarily and alerting the electric eel to its presence.
Electric eels then use a much stronger shock to stun their prey, usually smaller fish. They can generate electricity of up to 860 volts. They work together to herd prey into a small space and issue coordinated electric shocks to stun their food.
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They are not aggressive and only shock in self-defence
Electric eels are known for their ability to generate electricity and deliver powerful shocks of up to 860 volts. Despite their name and this shocking ability, they are not closely related to true eels (Anguilliformes) but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order Gymnotiformes, more closely related to catfish and carp. They are not very aggressive animals and use their electric shocks primarily for stunning prey and self-defence.
Electric eels inhabit the quiet, slow-moving waters of oxbow lakes, streams, pools, and flooded forests of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers in northern South America. They live in muddy, dark waters with poor eyesight, so they emit a weak electric signal to navigate, find a mate, and locate prey. Once prey is found, they use a much stronger shock to stun it, usually smaller fish. They can also curl their bodies around larger or more elusive prey to double the strength of the electric field and better manipulate their prey for consumption.
Electric eels are obligate air-breathers, surfacing for air periodically. During the dry season, they are at greater risk from predators, such as large mammals, that hunt from outside the shallow waters they inhabit. In self-defence, electric eels have been observed to leap from the water to deliver electric shocks to potential threats. They can also deliver stronger shocks by extending their heads out of the water to place their chins against partially submerged animals.
The electric eel's nervous system contains disc-shaped electricity-producing cells called electrocytes, which carry a net negative electric charge. When a shock command is delivered to these cells, a path of low electrical resistance is created, allowing the flow of electric current and resulting in a powerful shock. This entire process of stunning prey happens very quickly and can be challenging for the human eye to observe in detail.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric eels are called so because of their ability to generate electricity and shock prey. They can produce up to 860 volts of electricity.
No, despite their name and eel-like appearance, electric eels are not closely related to true eels (Anguilliformes). They are more closely related to carp and catfish.
Electric eels are found in the quiet, slow-moving waters of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America. They inhabit muddy, dark waters with poor oxygen levels.
