Electric Eel
Electrophorus electricus
37.7697, -122.466
Field Notes
Description:
IUCN accessed as Least Concern due to its large distribution, its ability to occupy a variety of habitats and the lack of any known major widespread threats to this species. E. electricus is a fractional spawner; there are three successive batches of eggs deposited in a spawning period. Males construct foam nests and guard the growing larvae until mid-January when the first seasonal rains flood the breeding area, causing the young eels to disperse. First-born larvae prey on other eggs and embryos coming from late spawning batches. There is a male-biased sex ratio, (3:1) and males are also considerably larger than females.
Habitat:
This species occurs in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins E. electricus is a benthopelagic (area of water not near the bottom) (ecological region at the lowest level of water body), nocturnal species that generally inhabits the muddy bottoms of rivers, streams, pools and swamps, favouring deeply shaded areas. This species is an obligatory air breather and can withstand poorly oxygenated water. Juveniles feed on invertebrates, whilst adults feed on fish and small mammals.
Notes:
Taken at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.
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