Electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus) care guide

Group

Freshwater fish

Other names

Electric catfish, African electric catfish, Silurus electricus

Family

Malapteruridae (electric catfishes)

Origin

Tropical Africa north of the Zambezi, including the Nile, Niger and Volta basins and Lakes Chad and Tanganyika.

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

90 cm

Temperature

23–30°C

pH

6.5–8.2

Hardness

3–18 dGH (estimated)

Minimum tank

1500 litres

Care level

expert

Temperament

aggressive

Care

Safety first: this fish can produce a strong electric shock that it uses to stun prey and defend itself. Never put your hands in the tank while it is in there, never hand-feed it, switch off and unplug equipment before maintenance, and use plastic nets and tools. Make sure anyone who might touch the tank knows what it is. It is a sausage-shaped fish with no rayed dorsal fin, only a fleshy adipose fin near the tail, a rounded tail and six barbels. PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of about 90 cm standard length, though most aquarium fish stay much smaller. The 1,500-litre figure here is our estimate for one adult. Provide a dimly lit tank with a large retreat; PlanetCatfish notes it seems to prefer stone caves over wood. Use powerful filtration, as it is a heavy feeder. It is tolerant of water chemistry: PlanetCatfish gives 23–30 °C and pH 6.5–8.2. Males are said to be more slender. Several electric catfish species are now recognised and juveniles are hard to tell apart, so the name on the label is not always reliable. PlanetCatfish lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Trade fish are wild-caught. Check local rules before buying: some places restrict keeping or moving dangerous animals. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=109). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator. Juveniles take bloodworm and earthworms; larger fish take earthworms, prawns, mussels and chopped fish. It will eat live fish but does not need them. PlanetCatfish warns that it tends to overeat, so feed modest meals and not every day once grown.

Breeding

Unknown in aquaria. Wild fish are thought to spawn in burrows, and there are suggestions that they may be mouthbrooders, but this is not confirmed.

Compatibility and tank mates

None. PlanetCatfish is clear that adults must be kept alone: it will stun and eat fish it can swallow and shock larger ones.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.