National Aquarium – Electric Eel

Overview

Electrophorus electricus—everything about this fish’s scientific name says high voltage! So, it’s no surprise that of the fishes able to generate an electrical discharge, electric eels are the champions, producing up to 600 volts.

Electric eels live in muddy waters. Mostly blind, they rely on low-level electrical pulses to navigate and explore their surroundings. Higher levels of voltage are generated to stun or kill prey and to protect them from predators.

Though commonly referred to as an eel, this fish is not considered a “true” eel. While true eels are classified in the order Anguilliformes, the electric eel is actually in the order Gymnotiformes, the knife fishes. Knife fishes have no dorsal fin and a long, extended anal fin.

Although not true eels, these nearly scaleless fish look the part with long, cylindrical bodies and a slightly flattened head. The electric eel’s anal fin extends from the tip of the tail nearly to the chin. Fluttering like a ribbon, it allows the fish to move forward and backward with ease.

The electric eel’s vital organs are contained in just one-fifth of its body, directly behind its head. The rest of the body contains the organs that generate electricity.