Electric Eel

Electrophorus electricus has recently been reclassified as three separate species and is the only vertebrate that both produces and detects electricity using dedicated electric organs that comprise around 80% of its body mass. It breathes air obligatorily and must reach the surface every few minutes. Its extreme danger to humans places it firmly in specialist or public display aquarium territory only.

Water: 24-28°C, pH 6.0-7.5, soft Amazonian water; strong biological filtration essential. Tank: Minimum 2000L display system with unrestricted surface access; no other fish should be housed with it. Feeding: Carnivore; fish, crustaceans, amphibians in the wild; can be trained to dead food on a pole. Behaviour: Solitary obligate predator; dangerous to humans — all maintenance requires power cut protocols. Compatibility: Display only; no tankmates recommended due to extreme electrical discharge risk.