# Electric Eel (*Electrophorus electricus*)

> The electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) is a freshwater fish of South America famous for generating powerful electric shocks to stun prey and defend itself. Despite the name it is not a true eel but a knifefish, growing up to 2.5 m long and weighing around 20 kg. It is a slow, undulating swimmer that lives in murky streams and pools and breathes air at the surface. Electric eels live about 15 years and are listed as Least Concern.

- **Category:** Fish
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Murky freshwater streams and pools of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/electric-eel/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Gymnotiformes
- **Family:** Gymnotidae
- **Genus:** Electrophorus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Electrophorus electricus |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Murky freshwater streams and pools |
| Lifespan | About 15 years in the wild |
| Length | Up to 2.5 m (8 ft) |
| Top speed | Slow, undulating swimmer |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Not a true eel

Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel at all but a type of knifefish, more closely related to catfish and carp than to the eels of the sea. It gets its name from its long, cylindrical, eel-like body, which can reach 2.5 m in length. It swims slowly by rippling a long fin that runs along the underside of its body. This undulating motion lets it move forward or backward with equal ease through cluttered water.

## How it generates electricity

Most of the electric eel's body is packed with specialised cells called electrocytes, stacked like the cells in a battery. When the eel discharges, thousands of these cells fire at once, producing a jolt strong enough to stun prey or deter a predator. It also emits weaker pulses used for navigation and to sense its surroundings in murky water. This makes electricity central to both hunting and communication.

## Hunting and diet

The electric eel is a carnivore that preys on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. It hunts by releasing high-voltage discharges that stun or immobilise nearby prey, then swallows the helpless animal whole. Weak electric pulses help it locate targets it cannot see in cloudy, sediment-filled water. Because its eyesight is poor, it depends heavily on its electrical sense to find food.

## Breathing air

Electric eels live in oxygen-poor waters and cannot rely on their gills alone, so they gulp air at the surface using a specialised, blood-rich lining in the mouth. They must surface every few minutes to breathe, and would drown if unable to reach the surface. This adaptation lets them survive in stagnant, muddy pools where many other fish could not. It also means they spend much of their life near the surface.

## Habitat and range

Electric eels are found in the murky freshwater streams, pools, and floodplains of northern South America, including the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They prefer slow-moving, muddy water with plenty of cover. This dim, sediment-rich environment suits an animal that hunts by electricity rather than sight. They spend most of their time near the bottom, rising only to breathe.

## Life and conservation

Electric eels live about 15 years in the wild. During the dry season, a male builds a nest of saliva into which the female lays her eggs, and he guards the developing young. The species is widespread across its range and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its remote, murky habitat has helped keep populations stable.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is an electric eel a real eel?

No. Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel but a knifefish, more closely related to catfish and carp. It earned the name from its long, eel-like body shape.

### How does an electric eel produce electricity?

Most of its body is filled with specialised cells called electrocytes, stacked like a battery. When thousands fire together, they release a powerful electric discharge used to stun prey and defend against predators, along with weaker pulses for navigation.

### What do electric eels eat?

Electric eels are carnivores that eat fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. They stun prey with high-voltage shocks and then swallow the immobilised animal whole.

### How big do electric eels get?

Electric eels can grow up to 2.5 m long and weigh around 20 kg, making them large among freshwater fish. Their long, cylindrical bodies are packed with electricity-producing cells.

### Do electric eels breathe air?

Yes. Electric eels live in oxygen-poor water and gulp air at the surface using a blood-rich lining in the mouth. They must surface every few minutes and would drown without access to air.

### How long do electric eels live?

Electric eels live about 15 years in the wild. They are widespread across northern South America and are listed as Least Concern.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Electrophorus electricus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Electrophorus%20electricus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Electrophorus electricus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Electrophorus_electricus/)
- [Wikipedia — Electric Eel.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrophorus_electricus)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/electric-eel/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.