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Electric catfish. The electric catfish of the Nile was
well known to the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians
reputedly used the electric shock from them when
treating arthritis pain. They would use only smaller fish,
as a large fish may generate an electric shock from
300 to 400 volts. The Egyptians depicted the fish in
their mural paintings and elsewhere; the first known
depiction of an electric catfish is on a slate palette
of the predynastic Egyptian ruler Narmer about
3100 BC. It was suitably called "angry catfish" in
ancient Egyptian.
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An electrical fish is any fish that gives an electric shock. One of the best known is the electric eel, a native of South America. It is of nearly equal thickness throughout and grows to the length of six feet.
A species of catfish about four feet long that lives in the Nile, and also species of torpediniformes (rays), one of which is sometimes found on the eastern coast of the United States, are also electric.
The seat of several organs that give the shock are located in different parts of these fish's bodies. After a few discharges, the current is weakened, and an interval of rest is required for a new storage of force.
- Electric eel needs to stun prey
- How rays and sharks use electricity
- Introduction to Electricity - video for kids
- Electrical catfish turns on light bulb!
- Here's What Will Happen if Your Touch an Electrical Eel
How do fish make electricity? by Eleanor Nelsen.