Electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus)

Scientific name: Malapterurus electricus Gmelin, 1789

Electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus)

The Electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus) is a freshwater fish of the family Malapteruridae that grows to about 100 cm (39 in). It is difficult to keep, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 510 L (135 US gal), water at 23–30°C (73–86°F) and a pH of 7.0–8.0. Native range: Africa, Western and central tropical Africa and the Nile River.

Electric catfish care at a glance

Care level
Difficult
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
100 cm (39 in)
Minimum tank
510 L (135 US gal)
Temperature
23–30°C (73–86°F)
pH
7.0–8.0
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts frozen foods and bloodworms.

Biology

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 38 - 41. Diagnosis: tooth patches narrow; pectoral fin placed near body mid-depth; 7-8 branched caudal fin rays; adults and young marked with large spots and blotches, some up to 4-5 times an eye diameter; caudal fin usually well-spotted in adults; caudal saddle and bar pattern poorly developed in all ages.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Malapterurus electricus
Family
Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
122
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 20 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: occurs in much of the Nile system (exclusive of Lake Victoria), the Lake Turkana, Lake Chad and Senegal basins, throughout the Niger system, and in smaller southward flowing basins in west Africa (rivers Bandama through Volta).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Other
Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=10; Fec

More catfish & plecos

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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