Malapterurus electricus

E805738

Malapterurus electricus is a species of electric catfish known for its ability to generate powerful electric shocks used for both predation and defense.

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf electric catfish
species
activityPeriod night
averageLength 30–50 cm
behavior nocturnal
bodyShape cylindrical
elongated
class Actinopterygii
coloration mottled brown
describedBy Gmelin NERFINISHED
diet carnivorous
piscivorous
domain Eukarya
surface form: Eukaryota
ecologicalRole predator
electricOrganLocation body wall
electricOrganType electrocytes
family Malapteruridae NERFINISHED
foundIn muddy bottoms
slow-moving waters
genus Malapterurus NERFINISHED
habitat freshwater
lakes
rivers
swamps
hasAbility generates strong electric shocks
hasAdiposeFin present
hasCommonName African electric catfish NERFINISHED
electric catfish
hasDorsalFin absent
hasSkeletonType bony
kingdom Animalia
maximumLength about 100 cm
nativeTo Africa
Lake Chad basin NERFINISHED
Niger River basin NERFINISHED
Nile River basin NERFINISHED
West Africa NERFINISHED
order Siluriformes NERFINISHED
phylum Chordata
preysOn fish
invertebrates
reproduction oviparous
respiration gills
sensoryAdaptation enhanced electroreception
reduced vision
taxonRank species
uses electric discharge for defense
electric discharge for predation
yearDescribed 1789

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Malapteruridae hasCommonSpecies Malapterurus electricus