Did you know that electric catfish can produce 450volts of electricity? Find out now!

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the electric catfish
The electric catfish can produce a charge of upto 450volts


Did you know that the catfish has about 3,000 species that live across the globe? Yes, catfish has well over 3,000 species of fish, grouped into more that 36 families. One of the most widely know of the catfish, is the clarias garinpenus specie that belongs to the family Clariidae; which are popularly know as the air breathing catfishes.

But Today, I want to divert a little from the clarias species that are known for their profit making capabilities when cultured in fishponds or raised in large scale commercial farms. Let's talk about a species that can literally send shivers of electric pulse down your spine.

What kind of catfish are we talking about? You guiesed right if you said the electric catfish.

Yes, thes electric catfish are grouped into two generas, namely Malapterurus and Paradoxoglanis. Both of this generas of electric catfish belong to the family Malapteruridae, and they are all freshwater fishes. These fish are commonly found in western and central tropical Africa and along the Nile River.

These catfish are not only interesting, they are also shocking, and I mean this literally because these fishes can produce electric charge that can shock a prey.
Off all the species of the electric catfish, the most well know and notable of them all, is the M. electricus catfish; a puffed up looking catfish, that has six mouth barbels and a single fin which is the adipose fin on its back, just anterior to its rounded tail fin. Its color can be brownish or grayish which is irregularly spotted with black. The M. electricus is known to attain a length of about 4 feet (1.22 meters), and a weight of about 23 kilograms.

What makes the M. electricus so special?

These M. electricus catfish, is capable of generating and controlling the discharge of up to 450 volts of electricity, which it uses to defend itself from external treats, and to capture its preys.
The organ which is responsible for generating this electric charge, is composed of modified muscle tissue which forms a fine, gelatinous layer directly beneath the fishes soft and naked skin. Although this fish is very aggressive and quick to respond to external treats, it is sometimes kept in home aquariums as pet fish.

There are currently three species of the Malapterurus distributed across the African continent, but one specie of the Malapterurus called; Malapterurus minjiriya, can be found locally in Nigeria in the Niger River and Lake Kainji in Niger State.

These Species of catfish generally love to live among rocks, or among roots in very turbid and black waters with low visibility. This catfish, always favor a sluggish or standing waters as their habitat or home.

The electric catfish are nocturnal; meaning that, they only sleep during the day and are active at night. During the day, when the sun is high, they spend most of the day hiding under a shelter. The M. electricus is most active for a period of up to 5 hours after sunset as this is the time when their peak hunting and feeding occurs.

The charge produced by the electric organ within the fish, is called an electric organ discharge and is abbreviated EOD for short. Strong species of the electric fish have an EOD that is powerful enough to stun their prey. Typical EOD amplitudes for these animals range from about 10 to 150 volts, but the EOD of the M.electricus can produce a charge of about 450volts. This EOD is what the electric catfish, uses to defend itself against an external treat, and to kill it prey.
Although the electric catfish can generate a massive amount of electric charge, its EOD is not known to be fatal to humans, but it can sure give you a shock of your life, if handled carelessly.


Electric catfish shock
The electric catfish can shock if handled carelessly


What is the economic importance of the electric catfish?

The Malapterurus electricus catfish, is edible, and it is prepared and eaten as a delicacy in many parts of Africa. Along the banks of the Lake Kainji in Niger state, smoked electric catfish is a popular local delicacy among the locals. Besides being a food fish, M. electricus is also occasionally reared in aquarium tanks as a pet, and it is also traded as such.

The electric organs of the Malapterurus catfish, has been used in many studies on neuronal metabolism, axonal transport, and transmitter release. These catfishes are particularly suited for this task because of their innervation by only one giant neuron.

Conclusion:

Waw, isn't these catfishes interesting and shocking? Yes there are. These catfish species are well known in many African cultures, infact the electric catfish was well known by the ancient Egyptian fishermen, and the carvings of the electric catfish is well depicted in bas-reliefs in ancient Egyptian tombs more than 5,000 years old.
The ancient Egyptians called the electric catfish “he who had saved many in the sea”; and this is because; when an electric catfish is caught together with other fish during a fishing trip, the electric catfish would shock the fisherman through contact with the wet boating pole or the net, causing him to lose grip of his net and liberate his catch.

So the next time you see a fish with barbels, that looks like an over bloated sausage, please run for your life, while it may not kill you, it can give you an electrical injury. Regardless, it is still a delicious delicacy!

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