Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) Care Guide
Electrophorus electricus is a large South American knifefish capable of high-voltage discharges, suitable only for public-aquarium settings.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Electrophorus electricus is a knifefish of the family Gymnotidae and the order Gymnotiformes. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true eels (Anguilliformes). It is an obligate air-breather, surfacing to take oxygen, and possesses three pairs of electric organs capable of producing high-voltage discharges. Its size and electrical capacity make it suitable only for large public-aquarium installations.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gymnotidae
- Genus: Electrophorus
- Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus
- Describer: Linnaeus, 1766
Habitat
The species occurs in northern South America, associated with the Guiana Shield. It prefers muddy bottoms and calm waters, occurring in coastal plains, swamps, streams, pools and shaded areas, and tolerates low-oxygen conditions through air-breathing.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 4000 L (1057 gal)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-15 °dGH
- Adult size: 150-250 cm (59-98 in)
- Lifespan: 15-22 years
- Surface access for air-breathing is required
Diet
Electrophorus electricus is a carnivore. Juveniles feed on invertebrates, while adults take fish and small vertebrates. Its FishBase trophic level is about 3.9. Poor vision is compensated by electrolocation when hunting.
Electric organs
The fish carries three pairs of electric organs: the main organ, Hunter's organ and Sachs' organ. Reported maximum discharges reach at least 600 volts, used for electrolocation and to stun prey. Because of this capacity it cannot share a tank with other animals safely.
Compatibility
The species must be kept alone. Its powerful discharges and predatory nature make any tankmate unsuitable.
Breeding
Reproduction occurs in the dry season, when males build nests and females deposit eggs. Prolonged parental care is reported, lasting several months. Breeding in captivity is not practical for private keepers.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 12 August 2020).
Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Electrophorus electricus is an Amazonian gymnotid capable of producing strong electric discharges. It is a public-aquarium species only: its eventual size and electrical output make captive breeding outside specialist institutions impractical, and no documented home-aquarium reproduction exists. The notes below describe wild reproductive biology so the behaviour can be understood, not replicated at home.
Sexing
The species is sexually dimorphic in size: males grow larger than females. Males reach reproductive maturity at roughly 1.2 m in length, while females begin reproducing at around 70 cm body length.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproduction occurs during the dry season, from September to December, when falling water levels strand male-female pairs in small residual pools. The male constructs a nest from his saliva, into which the female deposits her eggs. The species is a fractional (batch) spawner, with females depositing eggs periodically throughout the breeding season; a single nest may receive on the order of 1,200 eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch after about seven days. Once larvae reach roughly 15 mm they consume any remaining eggs in the nest, and by about 9 cm they shift to other food. The male guards both the nest and the developing young, and adults provide prolonged parental care lasting up to four months. Upland lineages appear to invest somewhat less in parental care than lowland relatives.
Common Challenges
Home reproduction is not feasible. The size of mature adults, the seasonal dry-season pool conditions that trigger spawning, and the danger posed by adult discharges place this species firmly outside the scope of hobbyist breeding. Long-lived in captivity (over 20 years recorded), it remains a display animal for institutions rather than a breeding project.