Fish facts #4 - Jeremy Wade feat. The Arapaima [Video]

A mythic fish known as rebel in one of the local religions, it was able to fight even against the gods opposing to them with it's great strength and will. The size, streamline body and it's colors makes huge impression as you can see it with your own eyes. For me personally this fish deserves to be king of regional waters, majestic and flawless creature.

Before you will see the video a short information about this fish.

The Arapaima or Pirarucu (Brazil) (Latin: Arapaima gigas, Schintz, 1822)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bonytongues-like)

Family: Osteoglossidae (Bonytongues)

Genus: Arapaima

Species: A. gigas

Distribution

South America: Amazon River basin. International trade restricted (since 1.7.75). The active fishing of this fish has reduced both the population size, and occurrence of large individuals, especially around the populated regions of the Amazon.

Size / Weight

Max length : 450 cm;

common length : 200 cm;

max. published weight: 200.0 kg;

Environment

Freshwater; demersal;

pH range: 6.0 - 6.5;

dH range: 10 - ?.

Tropical; 25°C - 29°C

5°N - 11°S

Short description

This species is one of the biggest freshwater fish with average length of 200 cm and maximum up to 450 cm. Mature fish max weight can reach 200 kg. It has a aerodynamic body. The color of the body is primarily gray to gray-green. It has local name in Brazil a "pirarucu" which comes from an indigenous phrase for "red fish" referring to the red flecks on the scales or the reddish-orange color of its muscles.

Biology

Often referred to as the largest freshwater fish. Builds a nest of about 15 cm depth and 50 cm width in sandy bottoms. Spawns in April and May and guards the eggs and the young. Obligate air breather. The fish rises to the surface of the water and inspires air in a noisy, distinctive gulp, which is reported to carry for long distances. Threatened due to over harvesting.

Supporting source: http://www.fishbase.org

Video