How powerful is an electric eel's shock?

Its main electric organ can discharge at least 600 volts, and a closely related species can generate up to 860 volts, making electric eels the strongest bioelectricity generators known in the animal kingdom.

Is the electric eel a true eel?

No. Despite its name and body shape, it belongs to the order Gymnotiformes, more closely related to knifefishes than to true eels.

Electric Eelデンキウナギ

Electrophorus electricusLC— Least Concern

The electric eel is a large, elongated fish of the Amazon and Orinoco basins capable of generating powerful electric shocks—at least 600 volts from its main electric organ—to stun prey and deter predators. Despite its name and eel-like shape it is not a true eel but a relative of knifefishes, and it must surface periodically to gulp air through the lining of its mouth.

Electric Eel (reference photo) — Photo: Steven G. Johnson / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Gymnotiformes / Gymnotidae Source
Distribution: Native to northern South America, inhabiting the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, with the three recognized species occupying largely non-overlapping ranges. Source

Did You Know?

Its main electric organ can discharge at least 600 volts, and a related species can generate up to 860 volts, making electric eels the most powerful bioelectricity generators known in nature. Source
It can breathe air using the lining of its mouth, an adaptation that lets it survive in oxygen-poor water. Source
It has been observed leaping out of the water to deliver electric shocks directly to threatening animals, a defense powerful enough to drive away even horses. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。

かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

サンシャイン水族館 (Sanshain Suizokukan)Tokyo池袋駅（35番出口）からサンシャイン60通りを通って来館。

サンシャイン水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

新さっぽろサンピアザ水族館 (Shinsapporosanpiaza Suizokukan)Hokkaido札幌市営地下鉄東西線「新さっぽろ」駅から徒歩約5分、JR千歳線「新札幌」駅から徒歩約3分。

新さっぽろサンピアザ水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

稚内市立ノシャップ寒流水族館 (Wakkanai Shiritsu Noshappukanryuu Suizokukan)HokkaidoOpened in 1968

稚内市立ノシャップ寒流水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

鳥羽水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLCに分類されています。

Habitat

南アメリカの河川、湿地、氾濫原。

Threats

湿地の改変
水質悪化

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

淡水生態系の保全
水族館での生態教育

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How powerful is an electric eel's shock?: Its main electric organ can discharge at least 600 volts, and a closely related species can generate up to 860 volts, making electric eels the strongest bioelectricity generators known in the animal kingdom. Source
Is the electric eel a true eel?: No. Despite its name and body shape, it belongs to the order Gymnotiformes, more closely related to knifefishes than to true eels. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org