What is an electric eel?

Electrical eel ( Electrophorus electricus ) is a type of fish originally in South America. Many people are familiar with the electrical eel due to their unique ability to produce a large amount of electricity, especially during hunting. Despite their shocking reputation, the electrical eel is actually quite fine fish and some biologists even described them as friendly. Unfortunately, fish can easily release electricity, so they need to be handled with rubber gloves and extreme care. The electrical eel lacks several main characteristics that are associated with the eels, leading to their classification in different orders. Like other knives, the electrical eel has specialized internal organs that can produce electricity. The fish is also a completely freshwater dwelling and is considered one of the leading predators of South American rivers.

The general name for the fish comes from the similarity that has an eel. The body of the electrical eel is long and dark, similar to the real eel. Fish canGrowth up to nine feet (almost three meters) long and are able to generate up to 700 volts of electricity. The shock of electric discharge is used to stun prey. Fish also have an excellent feeling of hearing that they can use to help them find prey.

Electrical eel diet consists mainly of other fish, although it was also known to eat amphibians and small mammals who have lost their way into their territory. They eat young electric eel at the bottom and small fish until they are old enough to hunt more prey. The electrical eel is also unusual among the species of fish in the fact that it gains most of its oxygen by direct breathing. The fish surface every 10 minutes to take large stains of air that give up to 80% of their oxygen.

Because the electrical eel is able to generate impressive electric charges, they are considered dangerous. Home fish enthusiasts should not maintain an electrical eel, thereforeE risk is too large. Scientists use fish in some research and manipulate them with respect and caution. Some aquariums also maintain an electrical eel and their operators are carefully trained to avoid accidents. In some regions, fish are forbidden because of concerns about their escape into nature. In a fragile environment, the electrical eel could quickly become a dominant species and endanger native fish.