Electric Eel vs Smallmouth Bass
Electrophorus electricus compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Electric Eel | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Electrophorus electricus | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Gymnotiformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Gymnotidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Electric Eel | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 250.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 20.0 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Dark olive-gray to grayish-brown cylinder-shaped body with a pale yellowish-orange throat and chin; back uniformly dark; scaleless skin has a smooth appearance; long ribbon-like anal fin is pinkish. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Electric Eel | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | — | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Inhabits murky, oxygen-depleted floodplain pools, swamps, and slow-moving streams in lowland … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Estuaries | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Electric Eel | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Electric Eel
Not consumed — an ornamental and scientific novelty species kept in specialized aquarium exhibits; edible in principle but extremely dangerous to handle due to powerful electric discharge.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Electric Eel
Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel but a knifefish. It can generate electrical discharges of up to 860 volts to stun prey and defend itself. About 80% of its body is dedicated to three electric organs.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.