Fish

Arapaima

Scientific Name

Arapaima gigas

Other Common Name(s)

Giant Arapaima, Pirarucu, Paiche

Body Weight

Up to 200 kg

Body Length

Up to 3 m

Silhouette of a large fish and a diver for size comparison.

Two large dark fish with reddish markings swimming in an aquarium.

Habitat

Rivers

Diet

Fish, crustaceans, fruit, and seeds

Fun Facts

Arapaimas have a bony tongue on which sharp teeth grow. Together with the teeth on their upper jaw, they can kill and shred their prey.

The habitat of arapaimas witnesses high fluctuations in water level throughout the year. These fish adapt their reproduction schedule to the changes. During the dry season from December to March, they find a mate, build a nest and then spawn. The flood season begins when the eggs hatch, so sufficient water is available.

Close-up of a large, grey-scaled arapaima fish swimming in an aquarium.

A large greyish-green fish with prominent head and scales swims underwater.

Distribution

Amazon River Basin across countries such as Brazil, Guyana and Peru

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Overexploitation of Biological Resources

As they can provide a high yield of meat, arapaimas are a popular target of local fishermen. Living in waters that are oxygen deficient, arapaimas surface every 5 to 15 minutes to take in oxygen from the air. They are easy to capture due to their constant emergence above water. Overfishing has not only reduced their average body size, but also depleted some populations. Although their capture is banned in some regions, illegal fishing still takes place.