Arapaima gigas

(Schinz, 1822)

Vernacular names
English : Arapaima
French : Pirarucu, Arapaïma géant

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Osteoglossiformes
Family : Arapaimidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Unmistakable, the largest freshwater fish species, reaching up to 4.50 meters in length for a weight of 200 kg. Very long body, laterally compressed towards tail, covered with huge scales. Coloration gray with red markings near tail.

Range and habitat
This species lives in South America and can be found throughout the Amazon River basin. Lives in slow-moving streams, marshes, with sandy bottoms.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : DATA DEFICIENT
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has been often hunted and big specimens captured for the international trade. It’s now much rarer than it used to be.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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