Electric Catfish

Electric Catfish Electric catfish are a popular type of fish in modern aquariums. Native to Africa, the largest populations are found in Western & tropical areas, including the Nile River. Electric catfish are aggressive & carnivorous creatures that will attack & consume almost any prey up to half of its own size! It lurks in rocky areas in dark freshwater, waiting for prey to come by. It seems to prefer night hunting and is fairly still during the day. Appearance: The electric catfish does not look very different from more common freshwater catfish found in rivers and lakes throughout the world. The catfish does not have dorsal fins or fin spines, and has a thick skin instead of scales. The most telltale feature of the catfish, is the series of barbels or (commonly referred to as “whiskers” lending to the fish’s name) found around its mouth. The electric catfish has three sets of barbels with the nasal pair being absent in this species. Contrary to common myth, the whiskers are not the source of the catfish’s electric shock ability. The electric catfish is a large breed of catfish and has a wide range of sizes. Some are small enough to be kept comfortably in large aquariums. Others, in the wild, grow to be upwards of thee feet long and weigh more than fifty pounds. They have no striking colors, and are often referred to as “sausages with whiskers.” Using Electricity: Like the electric eels, catfish are able to send weak electric charges into the water to serve as a type of radar, helping the fish to navigate in its murky environment. The fish emits a continuous electric current as it swims or rests. Special receptors beneath its skin allow it to detect any disruptions in the current, making it an effective navigational tool. It can also be used for finding prey. In truth, many species of catfish have similar abilities. The electric catfish is also sensitive to magnetic fields, although how the fish detects magnetism remains a scientific mystery. The electric catfish, however, also uses its more powerful current to stun prey and to defend itself when attacked by predators. The electric catfish can generate a powerful charge up to 350 volts. The electric animal feeds mainly on other fish, but will also take invertebrates, such as freshwater shrimp, as a meal. The strength of the shock is directly related to the size of the animal, with larger fish emitting more powerful shocks. Charges can last up to thirty seconds. These can prove deadly to other fish, but have no effect on the catfish itself. Electric catfish are vicious defenders of their territory and will attack other catfish upon sight. Often the battle begins with open mouth displays and thrashing. It escalates to barbel wrestling and flank biting. Electric Catfish and People: It is not at all uncommon to find electric catfish for sale to the public, although no successful captive breeding program has been founded. Feeding in captivity is altered to match the size of the fish and lifestyle of the owner. Most commonly, captive catfish are given shrimp, earthworms and smaller live fish. Even a tiny two-inch catfish can deliver a potent charge, making their handling very tricky. The electric catfish has co-existed with man for countless centuries. There are pictures of electric catfish on Egyptian tombs dating back over 5000 years. The ancient Egyptians harbored a healthy respect for the electric catfish because of its shocking capabilities. Its name translates to mean “he who has saved many in the seas.” Presumably, this was due to the loss of many nets of fish when they were dropped back into the water following a discharge from a netted catfish. .

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