Ecology Summary - Electrophorus electricus
Ecology of Electrophorus electricus
 
Main Ref. Planquette, P., P. Keith and P.-Y. Le Bail, 1996
Remarks Prefer muddy bottoms and calm waters; frequently found in coastal plains, swamps and creeks but is also found inland where a favorable biotope exist. Juveniles feed on invertebrates, adults feed on fish and small mammals (Ref. 12225), first-born larvae prey on other eggs and embryos coming from late spawning batches (Ref. 40645). Feeds on fish, small mammals and invertebrates (Ref. 27188). Shield streams and rivers are permanently normoxic (>3mg/l dissolved oxygen), uniformly low in conductivity (<30 ?Scm?1); and include rocky substrates, rapids, and waterfalls (Ref. 120918). A nocturnal species; captive specimens showed higher low-voltage EOD activity during the night compared to daytime (Ref. 10011). This cycle seems to be free-running (internally controlled) (Ref. 10829). An obligatory air breather (Ref. 10011) and can withstand poorly oxygenated water (Ref. 26457). Used in experimental studies.

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Electrophorus electricus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Soft Bottom
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Planquette, P., P. Keith and P.-Y. Le Bail, 1996
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Mérona, B. de and J. Rankin-de-Mérona, 2004
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 3.89 0.52 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
Back to Search
Comments & Corrections
cfm script by eagbayani,  ,  php script by rolavides, 2/5/2008 ,  last modified by mbactong, 10/24/19