The Arapaima is a freshwater fish species native to the tropical regions of South America. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. In the wild, an adult can reach an enormous size of up to 6 meters in length and weigh as much as 2 tons. This species is considered rare and is currently listed on the World Red List for protection.
Overview of the Arapaima
Origin
This species was discovered in 1829 by Swiss biologist Louis Agassiz, known scientifically as Arapaima gigas (also referred to as the Arapaima, Pirarucu, or giant arapaima). They primarily inhabit rivers in Peru, particularly in the Amazon River basin of South America.
- Scientific name: Arapaima gigas.
- Common names in English: Arapaima; Pirarucu.
- Classification: The Arapaima belongs to the family Osteoglossidae and the order Osteoglossiformes.
Biological Characteristics of the Arapaima
In artificial environments such as aquariums, Arapaima typically grow to sizes between 250-450 cm.
- Habitat: The ideal environmental temperature ranges from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius, with water hardness between 8 to 10 dH, and a pH level of about 6-6.5.
- Diet: Adult Arapaima feed on various animals such as small fish, insects, and frogs. In captivity, farmers also supplement their diet with meats like pork, beef, and chicken.
- Reproductive method: Arapaima reproduce by laying eggs.
- They inhabit the surface and mid-water layers.
- Breeding: Fish spawn once they reach maturity (usually from 5 years and older). They typically lay eggs on a sand nest, after which the male fertilizes the eggs. The male incubates the eggs in its mouth from the first to the fourth month. When the rainy season begins in May, the water levels in ponds rise, coinciding with the hatching of fry, who begin their lives in the floodwaters. Both the male and female take responsibility for caring for their young.
One of the unique features of the Arapaima is its ability to breathe by gulping air from the surface of the water. Besides using gills, this species can also extract oxygen from the air thanks to a network of capillaries in its throat, functioning like lungs in terrestrial animals.
This adaptation allows Arapaima to survive during dry seasons or in conditions of low oxygen in the flooded Amazon by burying themselves in the mud and breathing through their mouths. However, they need to surface for air every 5 to 15 minutes.
