Electric eel (Electrophorus electricus)

Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus Linnaeus, 1766

The Electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) is a freshwater fish of the family Gymnotidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–28°C (73–82°F). Native range: South America, Amazon and Orinoco River basins, and related areas in northern South America.

Electric eel care at a glance

Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0. Body elongated and cylindrical, almost without scales; head flattened; mouth large with one row of conical teeth on each jaw; presence of three abdominal pairs of electric organs; body color dark with anterior ventral part yellowish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus
Family: Gymnotidae (Naked-back knifefishes)
Order: Gymnotiformes (Knifefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 250
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins, and related areas in northern South America.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Other
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3; tmax=6 (captive); Fec=17,000)