Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus Scientific classification: Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Gymnotiformes Family: Gymnotidae The adult electric eel is an elongated, snake-like animal that reaches 2.5 m in length and 20 kg in weight. Due to their serpentine shape, they lack caudal, pectoral, and dorsal fins; the anal fin is well-formed and extends almost the entire length of the body.