[1][2] The genus Malapterurus is found throughout western and central tropical Africa and the Nile River.

They occur in all major freshwater systems including the Buzi, Niger, Ogooué, Omo, Sanaga, Sabi-Lundi, Senegal, Shari, Congo, and Zambezi River basins, as well as Lakes Albert, Chad, Kainji, Tanganyika, and Turkana.

[3] The eyes are small, the lips are rather thick, and the snout is rounded with widely separated nostrils.

[1] Species in Malapterurus are generally grayish-brown on the back and sides, fading to an off white or cream color on the ventral surfaces of the head and body.

As reported in the New York Times on April 2, 1967, researcher Dr. Frank J. Mandriota of City College of New York conditioned a M. electricus to discharge on a light signal for a reward of live worms delivered automatically.

[3] Malapterurus species are generally found among rocks or roots in turbid or black waters with low visibility.