Habitat: Tropical - freshwater: Shallow, muddy pools along creeks and rivers which typically have low oxygen levels. The electric eel is not actually an eel but in fact a kind of fish, called a knifefish, and are closely related to carp and catfish. They are generally dark green or grayish on top with yellow coloring under them. Habitat: Distribution / Background. Here are 9 facts about Electric Eels to help gain a better understanding of this fascinating creature. Electric Eel Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology. They can generate a power of 600 volts, which is 5 time stronger than the electricity generated in the standard US wall socket. Scientific identify: Electrophorus electricus Scientific classification: Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Gymnotiformes Family: Gymnotidae . It cannot be kept with other fish as it will shock or eat them. The Electric Eel, however, packs the greatest punch – capable of generating electric shock pulses up to 850 volts, though most discharges are around 10 volts. For centuries, it was believed that a single species existed throughout the region known as Greater Amazonia, encompassing parts of countries including Brazil, Suriname and Guyana. The electric eel’s anal fin extends from the tip of the tail nearly to the chin. They tend to live on muddy bottoms of rivers, swamps, coastal pains, and creeks, often in calm waters (Agbayani 2008; Valasco 2003). Genetic data has revealed several distinct electric eel species living throughout South America, including the most shocking eel (and animal) discovered yet. Moray eels are found worldwide in both deep and shallow waters, but tend to prefer warmer temperatures. Electric eels are freshwater fish. 6. People have studied electric eels for a long time. They can grow up to 2.5 metres long and reach 20 kilograms in weight. Fluttering like a ribbon, it allows the fish to move forward and backward with ease. Freshwater streams and ponds. The electric eel is also known for its unusual breeding behaviour. Once prey is found the electric eel will use a much larger electrical current to stun the fish. The electric eel then delivers a series of shocks that occur at one-millisecond intervals. It also currently remains unknown if the animal ever possessed a more extensive range. The electric eel, in fact a kind of fish rather than an eel, inspired the design of the first electric battery. Distribution and Habitat. The rest of … Know Electric Eel weight loss program, habitat, behaviour taxonomy, and so on See fascinating facts of Electric Eel in our animal facts archive. In ostariophysan: Electric organs …of this group is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus). The electric eel is toothless and swallows food whole. Classic editor History Comments Share. Habitat of the Moray Eel. Habitat Of The Electric Eel. Diet: Lives on freshwater shrimp and crabs, but sometimes will eat fish and frogs. Its range spans across Brazil, the Guianas, Suriname, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It lurks in muddy, murky bodies of water such as swamps, ponds, streams and river basins in South America. Electric Eel facts and info. The electric eel lives in the northern part of South America. Rivers of the World Explore → Our Electric Eel exhibit features interactive interpretation. The electric eel’s vital organs are contained in just one-fifth of its body, directly behind its head. What does it appear to be? Electric eels inhabit the quiet, slow-moving waters of ox-bow lakes, streams, pools and flooded forests of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, preferring side channels but also living further inland. The force of the discharge has been measured at 350 to 650 volts and can produce a current strong enough to stun animals as large… Read More These cells work like small batteries and store power, which is used to produce the eel’s namesake electric signal. It is a very common South American fish and is … The electric eel has a long, cylindrical body and flat heads. Freeze! “It is legendary,” Catania notes. The Electric Eel is widely distributed across Northern South America. Electric eel Upload your photos and videos Pictures | Google image. Distribution and habitat. Probes in the water detect the electric eel’s discharge. The electric eel has an elongated, cylindrical body, typically growing to about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length, and 20 kg (44 lb) in weight, making them the largest species of the Gymnotiformes. In the dry season, a male electric eel makes a nest from his saliva into which the female electric eel lays her eggs. Native to South America, the electric eel, or Electrophorus electricus, is the largest species of knifefish and can grow to almost eight feet in length and weigh up to 44 pounds. The American eel has a slender, snake-like body that is covered with a mucus layer, which makes the eel appear to be naked and slimy despite the presence of minute scales. Since eels lack maxilla teeth, it is difficult to eat a fish that is thrashing about. Diet. On Exhibit . Most moray eels are marine, but they can be found in brackish or fresh water. Still, many mysteries have remained. The electric eel is a knifefish and is more closely related to catfish and carp than to other eels. The Electric Eel Electrophorus electricus was described by Linnaeus in 1766. Electrophorus electricus (Electric Eel) is a species of bony fishes in the family nakedback knifefishes. The water they live in often has a very low concentration of dissolved oxygen. Its population is stable and faces no major threats. L'Anguille électrique (Electrophorus electricus) est une espèce de poissons d'eau douce rencontrée dans le Nord de l'Amérique du Sud, du bassin de l'Orénoque à celui de l'Amazone.Ce poisson peut atteindre 2,5 m de long et peser 20 kg. Electric catfish live in Africa, mainly around the Nile River. Before this research, zoologists considered the electric eel’s habitat to cover a large portion of northern South America around the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Electric eels have a bilateral symmetry ; They have a thick, slimy skin covers the entire body; The eyesight of the electric eel is poor, their eyes are small. The ancient Egyptians used the shock from the catfish as a remedy to treat arthritis pain. This is done with the two larger electric organs, the Main and Hunters organs. They are well-known for their ability to generate an electric charge and the majority of their body is made up of the electricity-producing tissue. This tiny area consists solely of the Amazon Basin and the Orinoco Basin, in South America. Electric eels can’t see what they’re shocking. An eel’s voltage is great for defense, but it also comes in handy for stunning prey, mostly crustaceans and small fish. Electric eels have been shown to curl their bodies around larger or more elusive prey. Distribution of the Moray Eel. Mature females have a … Know Electric Eel weight loss program, habitat, behaviour taxonomy, and so on See fascinating facts of Electric Eel in our animal facts archive.Scientific identify: Electrophorus electricusScientific classification: Phylum: Chordata Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Gymnotiformes Family: Gymnotidae What does it appear to be? Shark Vs electric eel please like and subscribe for more such videos But the electric eel’s pulses are the strongest of all electric fish. It has a large distribution and variety of habitats. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a facultative catadromous fish found on the eastern coast of North America. There are 19 species of catfish, which are related to electric eels, capable of delivering an electric shock up to 350 volts. It is associated with freshwater habitat . They are also known to leap out of the water to deliver a much more powerful and direct charge – often this is used as a defense behavior. That strategy has the effect of doubling the strength of the electric field between the electric eel’s positive pole (which is located near the head) and its negative pole (which is located near the tail). The electric eel is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. As it makes its home in the muddy bottoms of rivers, it electro-navigates its way around rather than depend on its bad eyesight. Freshwater eels are fish belonging to the elopomorph superorder, a group of phylogenetically ancient teleosts. 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