Fish Species > Arapaima |
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Arapaima. (Arapaima gigas). Max length 3m. Max weight 200 kg/ 440 lb. Predatory.
The Arapaima Gigas is to be found in the great Amazon River system in Peru, Brazil, Columbia and the Araguaia River and its various tributaries in Guyana. This armour plated predator is a member of the ancient Osteoglosssids (bony tongues) order of fishes. The Arapaima is to be found in the northern parts of South America throughout the Amazon basin where it aggressively hunts its prey. With this prehistoric predator inhabiting the largest and wildest river system on earth very little is known about its distribution in the river system.
The Arapaima gigas in its natural habitat swims in some of the wildest waters on the planet which endure seasonal flooding in the monsoon season causing the mighty Amazon to swell and invade the surrounding jungles. With the offset of the dry season the water levels recede rapidly leaving landlocked pools alongside the mighty river. Arapaima gigas become trapped in these pools which soon become depleted of oxygen but through thousands of years of evolution are able to breathe by way of a primitive type of lung surfacing regularily and gulping oxygen. The Arapaima is a highly adept predator and is widely recognised as one of the largest freshwater predators on the planet.
The Arapaima gigas has a fearsome prehistoric appearance with a protruding lower jaw and armoured scaling and is truly a formidable predator. With its awesome crimson colouration spreading the length of its body from its tail and its gigantic size the Arapaima is the ultimate freshwater predator. Arapaima gigas have been introduced to Thailand for over twenty years and are established in various commercial fisheries throughout Thailand. |
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