Malapterurus electricus

Malapterurus electricus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Siluriformes
Family:Malapteruridae
Genus:Malapterurus
Species: M. electricus
Binomial name
Malapterurus electricus
(Gmelin, 1789)
Synonyms
  • Silurus electricus Gmelin, 1789

Malapterurus electricus is a species of electric catfish that occurs widely in Africa.[1][2] This species grows to a length of 122 centimetres (48 in) SL. This species is important for subsistence fisheries and as a gamefish.[2] This is also the most common of the electric catfish to appear in the pet trade. The electric catifish has been found in the natural waters of Hong kong as an introduced species.

In the aquarium

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. It is illegal to possess any species of electric catfish for personal or commercial use in Florida.[3]

Zoos in North America

References

  1. 1 2 Azeroual, A.; Entsua-Mensah, M.; Getahun, A.; Lalèyè, P. & Kazembe, J. (2010). "Malapterurus electricus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T182850A7985142. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182850A7985142.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). "Malapterurus electricus" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  3. ↑ "Prohibited Species List". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 12 August 2017.


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