Electric eel, (genus Electrophorus), any of three species of elongated South American knifefishes that produce powerful electric shocks to stun prey, usually other fish. All three species—the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), Vari’s electric eel (E. varii), and Volta’s electric eel (E. voltai)—are found in the Amazon River or its tributaries.
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Electric eels have three electric organs—the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sach’s organ—which are made up of modified muscle cells. The main electric organ is located on the dorsal side; it spans the middle half of the body from just behind the head to the middle of the tail. Hunter’s organ parallels the main organ but on the ventral side. Those organs generate the high-voltage pulses that stun prey and deter predators. The rear quarter of the electric eel contains Sach’s organ, which produces lower-voltage pulses that allow the electric eel to communicate and navigate murky waters. Sach’s organ also contains the electric eel’s negative pole.
