Electric Catfish

Malapterurus electricus is one of the most extraordinary freshwater fish in the world, capable of generating powerful electric discharges exceeding 350 volts from a specialised electric organ covering most of its body wall. Used both to stun prey and deter predators, these discharges are genuinely dangerous to humans and other equipment in the aquarium. It is native to tropical African river systems from the Nile to the Congo.

In the aquarium it is a purely specialist species that must be housed alone — it will electrocute and consume any other fish placed with it. It is strictly nocturnal and spends most of the day motionless in a cave or under a ledge, emerging at night to hunt. Its electric organ can discharge through the aquarium water and potentially through the aquarist's hands during maintenance, necessitating rubber gloves.

This species is unsuitable for any conventional community setup and should be kept only by experienced aquarists who fully understand its requirements, capabilities and the safety precautions necessary for its maintenance.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 6.5–8.0, soft to moderately hard (GH 5–18, KH 2–12); tolerant of wide range. Tank: 600 L minimum; deep caves for shelter; very robust equipment; no metal fittings in water contact. Feeding: Whole small fish, prawns, large earthworms; strictly carnivorous; feed at night. Breeding: Not documented in captivity; presumed cave spawner; male guards eggs. Compatibility: Must be kept alone; will kill any other fish; handle water with insulating gloves only.