Electric eel, freshwater tropical fish found in South America. It is not a true eel. Its ribbon-like body is dark brown to black and is bordered by an anal fin extending along its underside. Air is breathed at the water's surface. Electric organs make up 80 per cent of its body and produce charges of up to 600 volts. Length: 2.9m. Family Gymnotidae; species Electrophorus electricus. |
