How Do Electric Fish Produce Electricity? - Science ABC

Home » How Do Eels Produce Electricity » How Do Electric Fish Produce Electricity? - Science ABC

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Electric fish produce electricity with the help of their electric organs. These electric organs have modified muscle cells called electrocytes that produce electricity.

The 18th and 19th centuries were electrified times! Luigi Galvani discovered animal electricity by electrocuting a frog to see if its muscles would twitch (they did). Alessandro Volta was busy making what would eventually become the modern battery. Alexander Von Humboldt, in all his polymath glory, was doubting electricity altogether, both animal and metallic, while Michael Faraday was revealing how electricity and magnetism were connected.

The common thread running through the work of these gentlemen is the electric eel.

Over the years, the electric eel has frightened countless horses, inspired scientists, and been the subject of art and music.

Scientists recently discovered that this Amazon-dwelling fish (its name is a misnomer, as it’s actually a kind of fish—a knifefish, to be specific) is actually three different species of fish—the original Electrophorus electricus and two new additions, E. voltai, and E. varii. So, how do these fish produce voltage up to 860V?

Electric eel (Electrophorus electricus)( R. Maximiliane)S
The electric eel is one of the most electrified fish when it comes to shock value. The recently found E. volta can produce up to 860V worth of electricity.  It lives in the rivers of the Amazon and can grow up to 8 feet long. (Photo Credit : R. Maximiliane/Shutterstock)

Types Of Eels

Electric eels aren’t the only fish that can produce electricity. There are a host of fish that produce electricity at different capacities. Broadly, there are two types of electric fish, weakly electric fish and strongly electric fish. Weakly electric fish like the Peter’s elephantnose fish and the black ghost knifefish don’t produce enough electricity to shock anything, but it serves as a sense organ, helping them communicate and interact with their surroundings.

Strongly electric fish are those that produce shockwaves that can harm. The electric eel, a knifefish belonging to the Gymnotidae family, is the most popular of these variety. The electric catfish, the electric ray and the electric stargazer are some other potent zingers. These fish use their electric powers for a range of purposes, from communication and electrolocation to hunting or defense.

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