Electric Eel
Electrophorus electricus
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<fishfyi-fish slug="electric-eel"></fishfyi-fish>Overview
Not a true eel but a giant knifefish, the electric eel can discharge up to about 860 volts to stun prey and deter threats. Roughly four-fifths of its cylindrical, scaleless body is given over to three specialised electric organs, with a pale orange throat marking the front. It inhabits murky, oxygen-poor floodplain pools, swamps, and slow streams of the Orinoco and Amazon basins in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Reaching 2.5 metres, it must surface to breathe air, gulping oxygen through its vascularised mouth. Handled only with great caution because of its powerful shocks, it is kept in specialised exhibits and assessed as Least Concern.
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概要
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.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 250.0 cm |
| Maximum Weight | 20.0 kg |
Coloration
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.
Habitat & Distribution
Estuaries
分布域
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 tropical rainforest.
Conservation Status
Electric Eel is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
食用・料理情報
Taxonomy
| 目 | Gymnotiformes (Electric knifefishes) |
| 科 | Gymnotidae (Electric eels) |
| 種 | Electrophorus electricus |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Anguila eléctrica |
よくある質問
Can you eat Electric Eel?
How big does Electric Eel get?
Where is Electric Eel found?
Is Electric Eel endangered?
What family does Electric Eel belong to?
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