The electric eel is known for producing electric shocks of up to about 860 volts.
Despite its common name, the electric eel is not a true eel. It is a knifefish in the family Gymnotidae and lives in freshwater rivers, floodplains and swamps of South America. The highest voltage is associated with Electrophorus voltai, one of the electric eel species recognized by modern taxonomy.
Electric eels generate electricity with specialized cells called electrocytes. Stacked electrocytes act somewhat like biological batteries: when activated together, they release a rapid electrical discharge. Strong pulses can stun prey or deter predators, while weaker signals help the fish sense its surroundings and communicate in dark or muddy water.
Electric eels must surface to breathe atmospheric air, so they are not dependent on gill respiration alone. Their ability to produce electricity varies among species and individuals, and the often-quoted 860-volt figure is a maximum reported value rather than a constant output.
They are predators that eat fish and other animals, using electrical sensing to locate prey.