# Electric Eel (*Electrophorus electricus*) The Electric Eel is a fascinating fish that can generate electricity to stun its prey and defend itself. It lives in freshwater habitats and has a unique way of hunting. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Freshwater ![Electric Eel](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426829/objects/6066.jpg) ## Appearance The Electric Eel is a long, cylindrical fish with a flattened head and no dorsal, caudal, or pelvic fins. Its body is typically dark grey to brownish-black on top, fading to yellowish or orangish on its underside. It visually differs from true eels by its unique body shape and lack of traditional fins. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Gymnotiformes - **Family:** Gymnotidae - **Genus:** Electrophorus ## Interesting facts - An Electric Eel's electric organs take up over 80% of its body! - Electric Eels are not true eels; they're actually a type of knifefish! - These amazing fish can jump out of water to shock land threats! - They can breathe air from the surface using a special mouth lining! ## Special abilities - **Super Shock:** Electric Eel can generate powerful electric shocks because of specialized organs that help them stun prey and deter predators. - **Electro-Navigator:** Electric Eel can navigate murky waters by emitting weak electric pulses that help them 'see' their surroundings. - **Hidden Prey Detector:** Electric Eel has specialized electroreceptors that help them locate hidden prey by detecting tiny electrical fields in the water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-250 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-20 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Electric Eels are expert hunters, mostly eating other fish using their electric shocks. - **Age differences:** Young eels eat small invertebrates, while adults primarily hunt larger fish. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Spectacled Caiman](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spectacled-caiman) (*Caiman crocodilus*) — Large caimans can sometimes prey on electric eels. - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — Jaguars may hunt eels at the water's edge. - **Hunts:** White Piranha (*Serrasalmus rhombeus*) — Eels prey on various smaller Amazonian fish. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Electrogenic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/electrogenic): This trait describes organisms capable of generating electric fields or electric shocks. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Avoid touching Electric Eels in the wild as their shocks can be strong. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Electric Eel? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Electric Eel? 10-250 cm ### How much does Electric Eel weigh? 0.1-20 kg ### How long does Electric Eel live? 8-15 years ### What does Electric Eel eat? Electric Eels are expert hunters, mostly eating other fish using their electric shocks. ### How fast can Electric Eel swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Electric Eel usually found? Freshwater ### How does Electric Eel hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium) — Illinois, US · Aquarium - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Florida Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/florida-aquarium) — Florida, US · Aquarium - [Oklahoma Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oklahoma-aquarium) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo - [Aquarium of Niagara](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquarium-of-niagara-new-york) — New York, US · Zoo - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium-us) — US · Aquarium [View all places to see Electric Eel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/electric-eel) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Electric Eel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/electric-eel)