 1 amp, so about 600 watts for approximately 2 milliseconds.
Although the fish has gills, it takes in most of its oxygen through its "highly vascular mouth," and, therefore, often comes to the water's surface to breathe.
The fish is also covered with a thick, gray to brownish/black skin. It is presumed that this tough layer protects it from its own electrical current.
To reproduce, the female of the species deposits up to 17,000 eggs in a spit-nest made by the male during the dry season, and, on average, 1,200 of those eggs hatch. In captivity, male electric fish live up to 15 years and females up to 22.
E. electricus Habitat
The electric fish is native to the South America, particularly the Orinoco and Guyanas rivers, as well as large portions of the Amazon river basin. It lives on river bottoms and in swamps, and thrives in relatively low-oxygen waters because of its propensity to mouth breathe.
E. electricus uses its electric organs for orientation, hunting and defense.
While swimming through its murky habitat at night (it's nocturnal), the electric fish orients itself by periodically emitting a weak electrical discharge:
This lower voltage can be used to "see" surrounding objects. Objects with a different conductivity will distort the electric field that the eel produces, thus making the eel aware of the object's presence.
After locating its prey with weak electrical pulses, E. electricus kicks it up a notch:
Once prey is found the electric eel will use a much larger electrical current to stun the fish.
Toothless, electric fish eat their prey by "open[ing] their mouths to create a suction," and swallowing the meal whole.
Able to produce a voltage as high as 650 volts and about 1 amp, the electric fish emits a strong, brief (2 milliseconds or less) shock when it is attacked by a predator. Although experts say the shock is rarely fatal by itself, it can kill some animals.
How Does it Produce Electricity?
E. electricus' nervous system controls its production of electricity:
Each electrogenic cell [electrocyte] c