Are electric eels part of the catfish family?

Can electric eels get electrocuted by electricity?

However, if an eel is injured, the wound can make the eel susceptible to electricity. The electric eel is only one of about 500 species of fish capable of delivering an electric shock. There are 19 species of catfish, which are related to electric eels, capable of delivering an electric shock up to 350 volts.

Why do eels turn around before they die?

If the electric current passes through an electric eel’s heart or brain, the electric eel dies. So they twist around so these organs are not in between the positive and negative sides of the tail. The electric eel often straightens out like a stiff rod before it ‘powers up’.

When was the South American Electric Eel first discovered?

From what we can tell, by the time Europeans described the South American electrical eel, they seem to have known about its electrical nature — the first reports of them in European scientific circles are from the 1740s. Linnaeus categorized it as Gymnotus Electricus in 1766.

Are electric eels actually eels?

Despite their name, electric eels aren’t actually eels (Anguilliformes). Native to South America, the eel-like fish are actually knifefish, in the Gymnotiformes order. Like many other members of this order, electric eels use electricity for sensing prey by creating weak electric fields and then sensing distortions in that field.

How many organs does an electric eel have?

Electric eels have three electric organs: the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sach’s organ. The main organ and Hunter’s organ generates high-voltage pulses that stun prey and warn predators.

How much electricity does an electric eel produce?

This electric fish can generate up to 800 volts of electricity! The electric eel is a knifefish and is more closely related to catfish and carp than to other eel families. They are capable of generating up to 800 volts of electricity! It’s Electric (Fishes)!

Is the electric eel actually a catfish?

Electric eel might be a catfish. Several people have studied the eel and believe that the characteristics of the electric eel are actually those of a catfish. Free electricity. There are YouTube videos available that show audiences just how powerful those shocks are.

Where can I catch a saltwater catfish?

Let’s go catch some saltwater cats! The saltwater catfish is a species of sea catfish that can be found in the northwest Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s called hardhead because of a hard and bony plate that extends to the rear toward the dorsal fin from a line between its eyes.

What are the organs of electric eel?

Electric eel 1 Physiology. The electric eel has three pairs of abdominal organs that produce electricity: the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sachs’ organ. 2 Ecology and life history. … 3 In zoos and private collections.

What are the cells in an eel called?

Within the organ are cells called electrocytes arranged in stacked columns, with multiple columns parallel to each other with fluid-filled spaces between them. Electrocytes are modified cells either of muscle (in most cases) or neural origin. These cells generate the eel’s electric punch.

What happens if you get electrocuted by an eel?

Once that happens, and the eel spots you, the eel will release a second electric shock. If the shock were to come from a full-sized adult, it would be equal to 600 volts of electricity. Now this shock itself might not kill you, but it would lead to some serious consequences.

How does an eel let out an electric discharge?

As you soon as you enter the water, the fish will let out an electric discharge. It does this by using the three electric organs within its body. These organs contain electrolytes and the eel uses them to navigate and communicate as well as shock it’s prey.

How many volts does it take to shock an eel?

Once that happens, and the eel spots you, the eel will release a second electric shock. If the shock were to come from a full-sized adult, it would be equal to 600 volts of electricity.

Can electric eels jump out of pools?

That’s because if the eels see you standing outside the pool, they might jump out and shock you. That’s right. When electric eels see a threat, they’re able to jump up and zap you. This packs an even greater punch than they would have while in the water. So you’ll have to be careful before you jump into our pool.

Why do eels travel so far?

With their long thin olive-green bodies, the short-finned eels aren’t much to look at, but these native Australian fish love to travel. The epic migration of the short-finned eel is supported by environmental flows which help them move from rivers, lakes and swamps out to the Coral Sea.

What happens to the eggs of longfin eels when they die?

The mature eels then die, their eggs floating to the surface to hatch into very flat leaf-like larvae (called leptocephalus) that then drift along large oceanic currents back to New Zealand. This drifting is thought to take up to 15 months. There have been no recorded captures of either the eggs or larvae of longfin eels.

What do eels do during the day?

When they get bigger, they begin to feed on fish. They will also eat fresh-water crayfish and even small birds like ducklings. During the day, eels are secretive, hiding under logs and boulders or under riverbanks. Occasionally, they may be seen out hunting for food but most of their hunting takes place at night.

How has fishing affected the Eel?

While longfin eels are still relatively common, fishing has had a significant impact on the species. Europeans showed little interest in eels as a fishery until the 1960s when commercial catches rose steadily. In 1975, eels were the most valuable fish export after rock lobsters.

Why are electric eels so odd?

Even if you cast out the infamous electric eel, the fish are incredibly odd because no one knows where they come from. These sea creatures lack reproductive organs of any kind. Their lack of obvious reproductive organs has enshrouded eels for thousands of years.

Is there an electric eel in the world?

Electric eel. The electric eel (Electrophorus electricus, other species proposed) is a South American electric fish. Until 2019, it was classified as the only species in its genus. Despite the name, it is not an eel, but rather a knifefish.