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Hi Paul,
I know next to nothing about electric catfish but if the current put out is very low and of a direct current nature, your might be able to get some specially designed LEDs to work here. A very good source of these is:
Jim Stabler
Starled, inc.
1050 E. Dominguez St.
Carson, CA 90746
(310) 603-0403
Starled makes custom current limited LEDs that are direct replacements for incandescent lamps. They are more than willing to work with small orders that intrigue. You may want to speak with Jim's engineer sidekick, Bo.
remember that the ultimate current flow depends upon the output voltage of the fish and so as it gets bigger you may want a way to increase the series resistor that will protect the LED.
Good luck!
> ----------
> From: Paul Allan
> Reply To: Informal Science Education Network
> Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2003 11:06 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Electric Catfish
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Recently we received the donation of an African electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus.) It is about 25-30 cm long (10-12 inches) and is being kept in a 55-gallon freshwater aquarium. Besides telling the interesting facts about this unusual fish in signage, we would like the display to have a bit more pizzazz.
>
> There are conflicting reports on whether the fish uses it's electrical discharges for navigating or just for feeding, but as far as we have determined, using a digital multimeter, it can produce about 2-3 volts when feeding and does not register any discharge when swimming around it's tank. We used alligator clips to attach two stainless steel wires to the multimeter probes, put the wire into opposite ends of the tank, and fed the fish a small feeder goldfish. Adult fish of this type (over 1 meter in length) are reported to produce up to 350 volt discharges.
>
> We would like to have visual and auditory events occur when there is a discharge. We've thought of a large, analog galvanometer/voltmeter. We would also like to have a light turn on and/or a buzzer sound. The light and buzzer would not necessarily need to be powered by the electrical discharge, but the discharge should stimulate the lighting of the light or buzzing of the buzzer.
>
> Has anyone had experience with this kind of display? Please lend us your expertise or point us to resources we can use to determine the easiest route to make this a great exhibit. We know we can turn to local electrical engineers/electricians, but I thought I would ask the list first to see if we could get a head start on the project.
>
> Thanks- Paul
>
> *********************
>
> Paul J. Allan
>
> Palouse Discovery Science Center
>
> Pullman, WA
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
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