Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Malapterurus electricus

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Genus
  
Malapterurus

Phylum
  
Chordata

Rank
  
Species

Family
  
Malapteruridae

Scientific name
  
Malapterurus electricus

Higher classification
  
Malapterurus

Order
  
Catfish

Malapterurus electricus Malapterurus Wikipedia

Similar
  
Malapterurus, Electric catfish, Catfish, Electric eel, Electric ray

Malapterurus electricus feeding


Malapterurus electricus is a species of electric catfish that occurs widely in Africa. This species grows to a length of 122 centimetres (48 in) SL. This species is important for subsistence fisheries and as a gamefish. This is also the most common of the electric catfish to appear in the pet trade.

Contents

Malapterurus electricus Electric catfish Malapterurus electricus Biopix photoimage 33505

Electric catfish malapterurus electricus


In the aquarium

Malapterurus electricus FileMalapterurus electricus 2jpg Wikimedia Commons

Malapterurus electricus is sometimes encountered in aquarium supply stores. It can reach a maximum length of over 1 meter in the wild, but has an average size of 12 inches in the aquarium. It is quite hardy and greedily accepts most foods, although some experimentation may be required to find the best food. The only other animals that are compatible with this species are snails, which they will ignore. A minimum aquarium size of 55 gallons is required, with bogwood or pieces of PVC pipe. They are active burrowers and will often remove the gravel from under their favorite hiding spot. A minimum temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary. Illegal in Florida .

Zoos in North America

  • Bronx Zoo
  • Toronto Zoo

  • Malapterurus electricus Electric catfishMalapterurus electricus Gary McKinney Flickr

    Malapterurus electricus wwwscotcatcomimagesmelectricusjpg

    References

    Malapterurus electricus Wikipedia