A n e m a w 
Animal Electromagnetism and Waves
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- Bioelectromagnetism - Bioelectricity
¤ Electric Catfish
¤ Electric Eel
¤ Electric Ray
¤ Mormyrid Fish
¤ Tiger Shark
¤ Other Zoological Examples 
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Species: Malapterurus electricus
Physics Application(s) Overview: Bioelectricity


Species distinctions: Electric Catfish:

Weight: 20.0 to 24.0 kg ( 44.0 to 53.0 lbs)
Body length: up to 1.0 m ( 3.25 ft)
Power of discharge: up to 350.0 V, with lesser shocks to follow (stun fish)
Life-span: 15 years (in aquarium)
Diet: worms, smaller fish
Distinctive qualities: generates electric discharges by use of electric organ; lives in rivers and lakes of tropical Africa except Lake Victoria, east Africa, and Nile Valley; plump; no dorsal fin; three pairs of barbels around mouth; small eyes; greyish-brown colour, flesh-coloured around head and underside; hides in day, feeds at night; adults aggressive, young are docile.

 

Habits, physical and social structures:
Found mainly in the freshwater basins of tropical regions in Africa and perhaps also in the Congo, the catfish has been observed for many centuries as a symbol within Egyptian hieroglyphics and as a mysterious organism which can discharge electricity produced within its body. The fish is large with no dorsal fin and barbels around the mouth, which protrude much like the whiskers of a cat. It is difficult to distinguish the males from the females just as it is difficult to keep the fish in captivity, due to its ill temperament and aggressiveness and its ability to shock other organisms. The fish is classified in a family of its own, as it is vastly different from other fish. The catfish has been known to be used for medicinal purposes by the Egyptians, Arabs, and in other areas of Africa, where is may also serve as a meal.

 

Physics Application(s):

Bioelectricity: 
The fish is as other zoological specimens, where bioelectricity is generated and used for internal processes related to movement, et cetera, however a surplus of electricity is also used as an externally-directed defense and offense when catching prey, as well as navigation. The electric organ which may be regarded as the source of electrical discharge may be found as a layer of modified muscles lying beneath the epidermis (skin), which cloaks the body and part of the tail in entirety. Electroplates divide the muscle into units, connected with ends of nerves from within the spinal chord, and allows a large specimen fish to discharge electricity of up to 350.0 V, enough to stun or kill other fish, an issue when in discussion of placing the electric catfish into water with other fish in an aquarium. Several shocks of less voltage may follow. A positive pole of muscle layer may be found near the head, where the negative pole resides in the tail.

 

Anemaw [Animal Electromagnetism and Waves] © Elizabeth Gerrow 2002 .