In an marine aquarium south of Tokyo, Christmas decorations are up. But although the tree in the lobby may appear traditional in shape and trimmings, the electricity that powers its lights is coming from a very unconventional source: an electric eel.

Everytime the eel moves, it generates 800 watts of electricity. Two aluminum electrodes inside the eel's tank capture that energy and send it down a wire to a nearby Christmas tree.

The aquarium's director thinks that a lot of eels could power an even bigger tree, although I'm not sure that eels are the most energy efficient alternative source for electricity. And eels generally live in darkness, so I wonder how this eel's temporary fame in the limelight will affect its health.

Nonetheless, it's a wacky idea and worth a blog. See the video below for more info.

Image: Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

[via Reuters]