electric eel

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Animals & Nature

electric eel

fish genus

Also known as: Electrophorus

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 • Article History

electric eel

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Category: Animals & Nature

Related Topics:: bioelectric organ; electric fish; Electrophorus electricus; Electrophorus voltai; Electrophorus varii

On the Web:: Nature - An electric-eel-inspired soft power source from stacked hydrogels (Mar. 15, 2024)

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electric eel, (genus Electrophorus), any of three species of elongated South American knifefishes that produce powerful electric shocks to stun prey, usually other fish. All three species—the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), Vari’s electric eel (E. varii), and Volta’s electric eel (E. voltai)—are found in the Amazon River or its tributaries. Electric eels have three electric organs—the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sach’s organ—which are made up of modified muscle cells. The main electric organ is located on the dorsal side; it spans the middle half of the body from just behind the head to the middle of the tail. Hunter’s ...(100 of 932 words)

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