| Gymnotiformes | ||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||
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| Families | ||||||||
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Apteronotidae (ghost knifefishes) Eigenmanniidae (obsolete?) Gymnotidae (naked-back knifefishes and electric eels) Hypopomidae Rhamphichthyidae Sternopygidae |
The gymnotiforms are an order (Gymnotiformes) of knifefishes that have electric organs. The best-known member is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), which uses powerful electric shocks for both hunting and self-defense, but other members of the order also generate electric fields, using them for locating food and breeding.