Expert
Datnioides qadrifasciatus
24–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 900L
£47.99
An expert-only South American electric knifefish for public-aquarium scale systems, with serious electrical, size and safety requirements.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Electrophorus electricus
An expert-only South American electric knifefish for public-aquarium scale systems, with serious electrical, size and safety requirements.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) is one of the most specialist freshwater fish in the catalogue. It is not a true eel and it is not a normal home-aquarium oddball: it is a large South American electric knifefish capable of powerful defensive and hunting discharges, long adult size, air-breathing behaviour and serious keeper-safety requirements.
This listing is written deliberately as an expert-care page. It keeps the useful biological facts from the old page, removes forced sales wording and makes the risk level clearer for customers, search engines and AI assistants. Treat this species as suitable only for public-aquarium scale systems or highly experienced keepers with appropriate facilities and safety procedures.
Electrophorus electricus is a gymnotiform knifefish, not a true eel. FishBase records the species from calm waters, muddy bottoms, swamps, creeks and favourable inland habitats, with juveniles feeding on invertebrates and adults taking fish and other animal prey. Modern research also shows that electric eels are not a single-species story: the genus Electrophorus contains multiple described species, with E. electricus associated with the Guiana Shield.
Because trade names can be broad, this listing keeps the supplier identity as Electrophorus electricus while presenting care at the conservative genus level: very large, powerful, air-breathing, predatory and hazardous. The safety risk is not decorative copy. Hands, nets, heaters, exposed equipment and routine maintenance all need specialist planning.
| Scientific name | Electrophorus electricus |
|---|---|
| Common name | Electric Eel |
| Fish group | South American electric knifefish, not a true eel |
| Adult size | Plan around very large adult size, up to about 180 cm in specialist care |
| Minimum system | Public-aquarium scale; around 10,000 litres or more for long-term planning |
| Temperature | 24-30°C |
| pH | Soft to neutral/acidic water, around pH 5.5-7.0 |
| Temperament | Solitary, predatory and potentially dangerous |
| Diet | Meaty carnivore diet; avoid disease-risk feeder fish as a routine food |
The aquarium must be planned around the adult fish, not the sale size. A juvenile may look manageable, but the long-term requirement is a huge, covered, escape-resistant system with open swimming room, smooth surfaces, soft cover, strong filtration and safe access points. Lids and service panels must be designed so the fish cannot jump, wedge itself or make unsafe contact during maintenance.
Use subdued lighting, stable warm water and a layout with broad open areas rather than sharp rockwork. Electric eels breathe air, so they must be able to surface freely. Never block surface access with tight covers, floating clutter or equipment that could trap the fish.
| Risk area | Practical rule |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Use planned procedures, insulated tools and trained handlers; do not hand-feed or casually net. |
| Equipment | Protect heaters, cables, probes and pumps from impact and unsafe contact. |
| Visitors | Use secure covers, warning labels and restricted access in public or workplace settings. |
| Tank mates | Species-only care is the safest default. |
Do not treat this species as a novelty purchase. If you cannot describe the maintenance protocol, emergency isolation method and adult housing plan before ordering, the aquarium is not ready.
Feed a varied carnivore diet using appropriate meaty items such as earthworms, prawn, fish fillet, insect larvae or specialist prepared foods. Avoid relying on live feeder fish, which can introduce disease and encourage unsafe feeding behaviour. Large meals should be spaced sensibly and monitored so water quality remains stable.
New arrivals should be given quiet settling time. Many electric fish feed better when stress is low, lighting is subdued and the keeper keeps a consistent routine.
The safest recommendation is to keep Electric Eels alone. Very large public-aquarium displays may attempt robust tank mates, but the electrical discharge, predatory diet, adult size and stress risk make mixed housing unreliable. Small fish, shrimp, crabs, other electric fish and anything that can be eaten should be avoided.
| Best choice | Species-only specialist system |
|---|---|
| Possible only with expertise | Huge public-aquarium style systems with carefully selected large fish |
| Avoid | Community fish, invertebrates, other electric eels, cramped aquariums and casual mixed displays |
All current size options are shown in the selector above. This product is often out of stock because suitable sourcing and safe handling matter. When available, order only if the receiving system, staff knowledge and safety planning are already in place. Eligible livestock orders are packed for UK courier travel and covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee, but the first requirement is responsible housing.
No. Despite the common name, it is an electric knifefish from South America, not a true eel.
No. This is an expert-only species for massive specialist systems. Juvenile size should not be used to judge adult housing.
Species-only care is the safest default. Mixed displays require public-aquarium level planning and still carry risk.
The adult size, air-breathing behaviour, predatory diet and powerful electrical discharge make this a safety-critical fish, not simply a large oddball.
24–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 900L
24–28°C · pH 5–7 · 113L
24–28°C · pH 7–8.2 · 500L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 450L
24–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 115L
20–25°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 500L
20–27°C · pH 6–7 · 54L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 300L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L