Electrophorus electricus is the best-known species of electric eel . It is a South American electric fish. Until the discovery of two additional species in 2019, the genus was classified as the monotypic, with this species the only one in the genus. [3] Despite the name, it is not an eel , but rather a knifefish. [4] It is considered as a freshwater teleost which contains an electrogenic tissue that produces electric discharges. [5] Electric eel skeleton, with the long vertebral column at top, the row of bony rays below Electric eels have long, stout bodies, being somewhat cylindrical at the front but more flattened towards the tail end. E. electricus can reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length, and 20 kg (44 lb) in weight. The mouth is at the front of the snout, and opens upwards. Electric eel is the common name for a South American freshwater fish, Electrophorus electricus, that is characterized by an elongated, cylindrical, snake -like body, absence of dorsal, pelvic, and caudal fins, and the capability of generating strong and weak electric organ discharges, which are used for hunting, self-defense, and electrolocation.
