Electric Catfish

Africa · electric · catfish · predator

Shocking superpower. Electric catfish can generate up to 350 volts of electricity from special organs in their bodies, using the shock to stun and capture their prey in the dark.

Nocturnal hunters. These catfish are mostly active at night, when they hunt for food in murky African rivers and tropical waters where sight isn't as useful.

Varied dinner menus. Some electric catfish eat mainly other fish, while others munch on invertebrates, fish eggs, and bits of stuff on the river bottom like tiny scavengers.

Range of sizes. The biggest electric catfish can grow to about 4 feet long, but most species are much smaller than that.

African home. Electric catfish live in tropical Africa and the famous Nile River, where they've adapted to thrive in warm freshwater environments.