Electric catfish are usually nocturnal and carnivorous. This electric catfish has been little studied. Malapterurus electricus is a species of electric catfish that occurs widely in Africa. Despite unforeseen calamities, a new, rare species of electric catfish is discovered. Some, like the electric eel and the electric catfish, can give a severe electric shock. Electric catfish do not have dorsal fins or fin spines. Malapterurus is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the electric catfish family (Malapteruridae). Electric catfish are found in tropical Africa and the Nile River. Electric field proximity sensing is used by the electric catfish to navigate through muddy waters. Electric catfish or Malapteruridae is a catfish family in the order Siluriformes. The electric catfish of the Nile was well known to the ancient Egyptians.