Electric Eel

Scientific Name: Electrophorus Electricus
Recommended Aquarium: 300+ Gallons
Approx. Adult Size: 48 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Ease of Care: Moderate
Diet: Carnivore
Native Waters: South America

The Electric Eel is found in the Amazon Basin. It lives in marshy or stagnant areas of rivers there, where other fish have difficulty surviving due to lack of dissolved oxygen content in the water. This fish survives due to its behavior of coming to the surface for air. The Electric Eel is not a true eel, but rather a member of a group of electrical fish that includes knife and ghost fish. These scale less fish have a long, snake-like body that is typically olive brown in color with yellow accents. In the wild when full grown, it can reach a length of up to 8 feet and weigh up to approximately 60 pounds. Electric eels have no teeth, and they are not considered to be very aggressive. The electrical talent it possesses is used to immobilize their pray, which is most commonly small fish but may also include insects and small invertebrates. It can deliver quite an electrical jolt, and should be housed by itself or with others of its own kind. Research is recommended before purchasing this fish, it should not be an impulse buy.

Approximate arrival size for Electric Eel: 12 to 24 inches