Malapteruridae

Electric catfish

Malapterurus electricus

Discharges four hundred fifty volts

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• Africa
• Fusiform
• Large
• Tropical fish

Malapterurus electricus is a thickset fish with six mouth barbels and a single fin on its back, just anterior to the rounded tail fin. It is brownish or grayish, irregularly spotted with black, and attains a length and weight of about 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) and 23 kilograms (51 lb) M. electricus is capable of generating and controlling the discharge of up to 450 volts of electricity. It uses its power to defend itself and to capture prey.