Electric Catfish
ExploreFish
Electric Catfish
Malapterurus electricus
The Electric Catfish is a unique fish that can produce electric shocks to protect itself. It has a long, whisker-like barbel on its face that helps it sense its surroundings.
Habitat: Freshwater
Appearance
The Electric Catfish has a stout, scaleless body, often mottled brown or gray with irregular dark spots. It possesses small eyes, a broad head, and six sensory barbels around its mouth, lacking a dorsal fin.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopteriOrderSiluriformesFamilyMalapteruridaeGenusMalapterurus
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
An Electric Catfish can grow to be over three feet long!
It can create enough electricity to make a person feel a real jolt!
They hunt mostly at night, using their electric sense to find food.
This fish doesn't have any scales, making its skin smooth and slippery.
Special abilities
Ability
Shocking Defense
Electric Catfish can generate powerful electric shocks because of specialized organs, stunning predators or prey.
Ability
Electro-Navigation
Electric Catfish has electrosensory cells that help them 'see' in murky water by detecting weak electric fields.
Ability
Ambush Stun
Electric Catfish can emit brief electric pulses that help them locate and stun prey hidden in the dark.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-100 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-15 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Swim Speed
- 8 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 15 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
This skilled hunter loves to eat other fish, stunning them with electricity before swallowing!
Age differences: Younger catfish may eat more insects and crustaceans before switching to mostly fish.
Primary Foods
- small fish
- aquatic insects
- crustaceans
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eats
Elephantfish
Mormyrus longirostris
A common prey fish in African rivers.
eats
Nile Tilapia
Tilapia nilotica
A frequently encountered fish species in its range.
eaten by
Nile Crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
A large predator found in the same waters.
eaten by
Cape Clawless Otter
Aonyx capensis
Hunts fish, including smaller catfish, in its habitat.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Electrogenic
This trait describes organisms capable of generating electric fields or electric shocks.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Electric FishMalapterurus
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Avoid touching Electric Catfish in the wild as their electric shocks can be dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Electric Catfish?
30-100 cm
How much does Electric Catfish weigh?
0.5-15 kg
How long does Electric Catfish live?
10-15 years
What does Electric Catfish eat?
This skilled hunter loves to eat other fish, stunning them with electricity before swallowing!
How fast can Electric Catfish swim?
8 km/h
Where is Electric Catfish usually found?
Freshwater
How does Electric Catfish hunt?
Ambush
How deep can Electric Catfish go?
15 m
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