TankBud

Electric catfish

Malapterurus electricus

Also known as African electric catfish

FreshwaterFish

Electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus)
Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
39.4 in
100 cm
Minimum tank
198 gal
750 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One per tank
Tankmates
Species tank only
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Malapteruridae
Origin
Widespread across tropical Africa, including the Nile and Congo basins.

Overview

The electric catfish is a large, potentially dangerous predator for a species tank. It is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The electric catfish was known to the ancient Egyptians, who depicted it in tomb art thousands of years ago.

Caring for the electric catfish

Give the electric catfish a species tank of at least 198 gal (750 L), with strong filtration and plenty of solid cover. It prefers dim, calm surroundings and gentle flow, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Use a secure setup with no fragile equipment inside.

The electric catfish is one of the few fish that can deliver a real electric shock to a person. Handle it with great care during maintenance. Never put your hands in the tank with the fish loose.

Feed meaty foods such as fish, prawns and earthworms. It is aggressive and will eat any tank mate it can catch, so keep it alone with no companions of any kind.

Good to know

The electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, can generate electric discharges of several hundred volts, with reports of 350 to 450 volts. Specialized electric organs, derived from muscle, wrap much of its body. It uses the shock both to stun prey and to defend itself. Captive fish often stay nearer 40 to 60 cm, though wild ones reach around a meter. It belongs to the family Malapteruridae and is also called the African electric catfish.

In the wild

The electric catfish lives in slow and still waters across tropical Africa, including the Nile and Congo basins. It hides by day among rocks, roots and hollows and hunts at night.

Common questions

What size tank does an electric catfish need?

An electric catfish needs at least 198 gal (750 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an electric catfish need?

An electric catfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does an electric catfish eat?

An electric catfish eats meaty foods such as fish, prawns and earthworms. It will also eat any tank mate it can catch.

How big does an electric catfish get?

An adult electric catfish reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).

Related species