Electric Catfish

The electric catfish is a catfish that can produce powerful electric discharges with special tissues in its body; these discharges can exceed 300 volts. It uses electricity to stun its prey and to defend itself. It is easily recognized by its thick, sausage-shaped body, the absence of a dorsal fin and its small eyes. In aquariums it usually reaches 30–50 cm, and it can grow much larger in the wild. Some of the fish sold in the trade as "electricus" may be other species of the same genus.

• At least 400 liters and 150 cm of length for a single adult.
• A sturdy lid; be very careful when removing equipment during maintenance and when putting your hand in the water.
• Soft sand, a large cave or pipes; dim light.
• Strong filtration; it eats a lot and produces a lot of waste.

Carnivorous. It eats fish fillet, shrimp, worms and sinking carnivore granules; a few meals a week is enough for adults. Offer food with long tongs.

A nocturnal, solitary predator. It cannot be safely kept with any fish in the aquarium; with its electric discharges it can kill even fish larger than itself. The discharge is very painful for people too; do not touch the fish or the water with bare hands.

Good companions: none; it is kept alone.

Avoid: tankmates of any kind; aquariums within reach of children.