Electric Catfish

bas-relief, Saqqara, ancient Egypt 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 a dangerous electric shock from 300 to 400 volts. The Egyptians depicted the fish in their mural paintings and elsewhere; An account of its electric properties was given by an Arab physician Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi of the 12th century; then as now, the fish was known by the suggestive name of , which means "thunder". The shock of these catfish is used to stun prey and in defense. It is not known to be fatal to humans, but large electric catfish can stun an adult person. In small electric catfish, the generated current is far less and only feels like a tingle to humans.