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Midwest Aquarium and Pond Supplier LLC

(200) Electric Eels

(200) Electric Eels

$499.99 USD
$499.99 USD
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Electric eels are a genus (Electrophorus) of knifefish known for their ability to generate powerful electric shocks for hunting and self-defense. Despite their name and appearance, they are not true eels but are more closely related to catfish and carp. 

Key Facts
  • Not True Eels: They belong to the order Gymnotiformes (knifefishes), not the order Anguilliformes (true eels).
  • Habitat: Found exclusively in the freshwater environments of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America.
  • Air-Breathers: They are obligate air-breathers and must surface frequently (about every ten minutes) to gulp air, an adaptation for living in low-oxygen, murky waters.
  • Size: They can grow to lengths of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) and weigh as much as 44 pounds (20 kg). 

Generating Electricity 
Electric eels have three specialized electric organs—the main organ, the Hunter's organ, and the Sachs' organ—that make up nearly 80% of their body. These organs contain thousands of modified muscle cells called electrocytes which act like tiny biological batteries. 
When an eel is hunting or threatened, its brain sends a signal causing these cells to discharge simultaneously, creating an electric current. 
  • High-voltage shocks: The main and Hunter's organs produce strong, high-voltage pulses to stun prey or deter predators. Depending on the species, these can reach up to 860 volts, enough to knock a horse off its feet.
  • Low-voltage pulses: The Sachs' organ produces a low-voltage (around 10V) charge that the eel uses for electrolocation—essentially a radar system to navigate their murky environment and find prey.
  • Hunting Strategy: The eel can curl its body to concentrate the electric discharge on its prey for a more effective shock. 

Interaction with Humans
Shocks from an electric eel are painful and can cause muscle contractions and numbness, similar to a stun gun jolt. While a single shock is not typically fatal to a healthy adult human, multiple shocks could cause respiratory or heart failure. The primary danger to humans often comes from secondary effects, such as drowning after being stunned in the water. The thick skin of the electric eel provides insulation, preventing it from shocking itself under normal circumstances.
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