Electric Catfish

The electric catfish is a family of around 21 species that can discharge an electric shock from a specialized organ.

This is not the only catfish family with an electric organ, but its electrical ability is particularly well-developed compared to the others. The catfish can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts to defend itself and capture prey. The shock also helps them navigate through the environment. The organ is composed of gelatinous muscle tissue set beneath the naked skin. This discharge is not known to be fatal to humans, but it can nevertheless hurt. The electric catfish are sometimes kept in aquariums as a pet.

Electric Catfish vs Electric Eel

The electric eel can deliver a stronger electric shock up to 600 volts, but otherwise, it uses electricity mostly in the same manner.

3 Electric Catfish Facts

• The electric catfish was once depicted within the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. They called this fish “he who had saved many in the sea,” because when fishers received an electric shock from this fish, they would drop their entire catch in the water, thereby saving many of them from being eaten.
• Electric catfish are primarily nocturnal. They are most active for the first four or five hours after sunset. The rest of the day is spent hiding in its shelter.
• Electric catfish are highly territorial. They will use the electric discharge to defend their territory against intruders of the same species. The defender will usually give an open mouth display and then sway back and forth with its arched body. If that isn’t enough to deter the intruder, then it will start to bite and discharge a shock. Against intruders of a different species, they may resort directly to electric shocks.

Electric Catfish Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name for the family of electric catfish is Malapteruridae. This name roughly translates from Greek to mean “a lot of fin and tail.” Mala means a lot of, pteron means fin, and oura means tail. There are two recognized genera within this family: Malapterurus (which contains some 18 species) and Paradoxoglanis (which contains around three species). The scientific name Malapterurus basically has the same meaning as the family name, but Paradoxoglanis translates to mean paradoxical or strange catfish.

Electric Catfish Appearance

The electrical catfish looks like most members of its order. It is characterized by a long, puffy body with thick lips, small eyes, a rounded snout, and three pairs of barbels (sensing organs that resemble whiskers). This fish has rounded pectoral and pelvic fins but lacks the dorsal (back) fin entirely. Some full-grown specimens from this family can easily measure up to 4 feet long from snout to tail, but most range somewhere between 2 and 3 feet on average. They are generally gray-brown on the back and sides. This slowly fades to white or cream around the stomach. Some have irregular black spots around the sides of the body too.

Electric Catfish Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The electric catfish can be found in freshwater lakes and rivers throughout Africa, particularly in the vast Nile River. They generally prefer slow-moving or standing water with low visibility and lots of hiding places. The population status varies by species. According to the IUCN Red List, most species are considered to be species of least concern, but some are data deficient instead (meaning scientists haven’t gathered enough data about their population numbers). They do not appear to face many threats in their wild habitat.

Electric Catfish Predators and Prey

The electric catfish is one of the top predators in its natural habitat. Some species are bottom feeders, while others are active hunters. They can root around in the dirt with their long barbels.

What eats the electric catfish?

The electric catfish has few natural predators in the wild besides perhaps tigerfish and a few other larger types of fish.

What does the electric catfish eat?

The electric catfish feeds on a wide variety of different fish, invertebrates, and eggs by paralyzing its prey with an electric discharge. Many species are thought to be slow-moving and somewhat sedentary. This means they are probably opportunistic feeders that wait for food to wander through their territory, or they sift slowly through the dirt.

Electric Catfish Reproduction and Lifespan

Not a whole lot is known about the reproduction of the catfish, but if it’s like other members of the catfish order, it will only begin spawning once the water has reached an ideal temperature. When the timing is right, the fish will pair up with a mate and create a nest about 10 feet in length along the clay banks of the river or lake. The size and age of the female fish will often determine how many eggs she will lay in the nest. The male will then fertilize them with his sperm. It is not known whether the male will guard the nest against predators, but it seems likely. The fry usually leaves the nest within a few weeks after hatching and starts to fend for themselves until fully grown. The lifespan in the wild is thought to average about 10 years.

Electric Catfish in Fishing and Cooking

Smoked catfish are consumed as a delicacy in some parts of eastern Africa. It’s also caught for the pet and aquarium trade.

1. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/electric-catfish
2. Animal Diversity Web, Available here: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Malapterurus_electricus/
3. Sciencing, Available here: https://sciencing.com/a-catfish-reproduce-4829150.html
4. Badmans Tropical Fish, Available here: https://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile113.html