Electrophorus - Electric eele

Classification

Genus: Electrophorus - Electric eele

Description

Electrophorus is a genus of Neotropical freshwater fish in the family Gymnotidae, commonly called electric eel. Fish in this genus are known as electric eels for their ability to stun their prey by generating electricity.

Despite its name, the electric eel is not closely related to the true eels (Anguilliformes) but is a member of the neotropical knifefish order (Gymnotiformes), which is more closely related to the catfishes.

It was believed to be a monotypic genus for over two centuries, until the unexpected 2019 discovery of two additional species.

  1. Electrophorus electricus
  2. Electrophorus varii
  3. Electrophorus voltai

Species