Why do electric eels produce shocks?

Electric eels are not true eels but South American knifefish that can produce powerful electrical discharges. They have stacks of modified muscle cells called electrocytes that act like biological batteries. These shocks help stun prey, deter predators, and even navigate in murky freshwater habitats. High-voltage bursts can reach about 600 volts in the largest species, although the exact output varies by individual and situation. The ability is one of the most striking examples of bioelectricity in nature.