The Electrophorus voltai is a species of electric eel found in the Amazon basin, representing one of the most remarkable creatures in the animal kingdom. This elongated freshwater fish possesses an extraordinary ability to generate a powerful electric shock.
Discovery and Classification
For over 250 years, scientists believed all electric eels belonged to a single species, Electrophorus electricus. A 2019 study, published in Nature Communications, challenged this belief through analysis of DNA and physical characteristics. This research revealed three distinct species of electric eels.
The study identified two new species: Electrophorus voltai and Electrophorus varii, alongside Electrophorus electricus. Electrophorus voltai was named in honor of Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist who invented the electric battery.
Habitat and Physical Characteristics
Electrophorus voltai typically inhabits the clear, fast-moving highland waters of the Brazilian Shield and some south-flowing rivers of the Guiana Shield. These environments often feature low electrical conductivity, which is believed to be a factor in the evolution of its potent electrical discharge. The species can reach lengths of up to 2.5 meters (8 feet 2 inches) and weigh around 22 kilograms (49 pounds).
Its body is elongated and largely scaleless, a characteristic shared with other electric eels. The internal anatomy of Electrophorus voltai is adapted to protect its vital organs from its own powerful shocks. These organs, including the brain and heart, are concentrated within the anterior one-fifth of its body, located directly behind its head. The vast majority of its body volume, approximately 80 percent, is dedicated to its specialized electric organs.
The High-Voltage Discharge
Electrophorus voltai holds the record for the strongest bioelectric discharge of any known animal, capable of producing a shock of up to 860 volts. This remarkable ability stems from thousands of specialized cells called electrocytes, which are modified muscle cells. These disc-shaped cells are arranged in series within three distinct electric organs—the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sach’s organ—functioning much like a biological battery.
The eel uses different types of electrical discharges for various purposes. High-voltage shocks, generated primarily by the main and Hunter’s organs, are deployed for stunning prey and as a defense mechanism against predators. These powerful bursts cause involuntary muscle contractions in prey, making them easier to capture. In contrast, the Sach’s organ produces low-voltage pulses, typically around 10 volts, which are used for electrolocation in murky waters and for communication with other eels.
Recent observations have also revealed complex social behaviors in Electrophorus voltai. A 2021 study documented the first known instance of pack hunting among electric eels in a population located at the mouth of the Iriri River in Brazil. Over 100 individuals were observed coordinating their movements to herd schools of smaller fish into a “prey ball” before launching joint high-voltage strikes to stun them. This cooperative hunting strategy allows the eels to efficiently capture numerous prey at once.