Baby arapaima feeding
Arapaima Fish - Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding
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The arapaima fish, also known as Paiche or Pirarucu, is one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world. It can reach lengths of 15 feet and weigh up to 440 pounds in the wild. In aquariums, the arapaima will average at around 23 inches in length.
The arapaima’s streamlined body is black with a white center and red tails. The name pirarucu is a rough translation of ‘red fish’ in the Tupi language. Their bodies are lined with scales while their head is copper-greenish.
The fish are also obligate air breathers, and they can only stay underwater for 10 to 20 minutes. A modified swim bladder that opens into its mouth functions as a lung. The fish are scarce, mainly because their wild population has been on a decline.
They are also pricey if you do manage to get one, but ensure that they are sustainably sourced. Their trade can also be restrictive, depending on your country. There is a concern about the introduction of these fish in non-native habitats if they outgrow an owner’s aquarium.
The arapaima was first described in 1882 by Schinz. Populations were discovered across the Amazon River Basin, although their specific habitat is still unknown. The fish also migrates from season to season.
During the dry season, the arapaima moves to rivers and lakes and migrates to flooded forests in the wet season. The fish can survive in oxygen-deficient areas due to its ability to breathe.
The ability of the arapaima to survive in piranha-infested waters has puzzled researchers. The scales of the fish have proven to be exceptionally resistant to predation in the form of piranha bites.
The scales are not only tough, but they are also very flexible which helps the fish to maneuver in the water.
A scientific study established the scales of the arapaima as the toughest flexible material in nature.
The outer layer is more mineralized than the bone, which makes it more resilient.
The inner layer is softer, and it consists of a collagen fibril. These fibrils will deform along various angles and prevent a crack on the outer layer from growing. These scales are strong enough to break piranha teeth.
The arapaima is a popular food in South America since over 50% of its body weight consists of meat. This meat is boneless, and its popularity has made it illegal to harvest it in countries like Guyana.
Overharvesting has also drastically reduced the populations and size of wild arapaima fish. The fish are easy to catch because they frequently come up for air and take it in with a cough that can be heard by fishermen.
Finding full-grown arapaima in the wild has become tasking for biologists. The fish has recently been introduced to Eastern Asia for fishing.
Arapaima Fish Tank RequirementsThe arapaima’s large size makes it a bit challenging to keep.
It needs a minimum of 1,000 gallons with a 2500-gallon aquarium being ideal.
Arapaima is best suited for public aquariums, or for aquarists who are experienced in keeping monster fish.
The fish is a surface and middle dweller, and it demands a lot of swimming space. You can use some floating plants, but they should occupy only a small portion of the water’s surface.
The fish are air breathers, and you need to leave enough space between the surface of the water and the aquarium top. The cover should be tight since they are skilled jumpers.
The arapaima fish thrive in wide tanks with vented canopy-type tops. Use a fine gravel substrate and an effective aeration system.
The tank can be thickly planted on the sides and back, but leave a lot of areas open for swimming.
You can use moderate to normal lighting as the fish is not fussy about lighting requirements.
Arapaima Fish Water ConditionsKeep a temperature and pH range of 75-84 °F and 6.
0-6.5, respectively. The ideal water hardness range is 5-12 dGH.
Arapaima tanks should be equipped with large filtration systems that can keep up with the bio-load of the fish. Change 15-20% of the water every week to maintain water quality.
If these conditions are not met, the arapaima will be vulnerable to skin flukes, parasitic infections, and bacterial disease. The risk of disease is higher among the fish because they eat live food.
You should,therefore, source their meals in reputable sources or grow them yourself in ponds. The arapaima fish are, however, hardy, and diseases are rarely an issue in well-maintained tanks.
Arapaima Fish Diet & Feeding ScheduleWild arapaima fish depend on a carnivorous diet of either meat or fish. They will snatch birds from low-hanging branches thanks to their impressive jumping skills.
The fish likes to stalk prey on the water’s surface but it will also dive down into the water to catch aquatic animals.
It will feed on amphibians, waterfowl, smaller mammals, and invertebrates.
In captivity, arapaima fish will eat pellets, crustaceans, plankton, krill, and live foods.
Arapaima Fish Tank MatesThe arapaima are notably aggressive to members of the same species and should be kept singly. They are gifted predators, which means that any smaller fish will become instant prey.
If you are growing out the arapaima in a large tank, you can include similarly-sized aquatic fish and ensure that all of them can establish territories. It is best to keep the arapaima alone.
Arapaima Fish BreedingThe reproduction cycles of wild arapaima are affected by the dry and wet seasons. They construct their nests from February to April when the water levels are low.
The nests are set up in a sandy area that is around six inches deep and 20 inches wide. Both parents protect the eggs and the fry, and the young arapaima stay with their parents until they are about three months old.
Arapaima fish are a mouth-brooding species, and they aerate the eggs because they live in oxygen-depleted regions. The adult exudes a pheromone from their head to communicate with their young.
ConclusionThe arapaima fish a monster freshwater species that is ideally suited for large aquariums like public zoos. They are quite pricey and they will require the largest filtration system available.
The fish is a loner, and it will attack tankmates of the same species. Keep them alone and leave plenty of swimming space.
Monster Fish
Arapaima Gigas As Pets? Facts, Lifespan, Diet, Care Info, with Pictures
An arapaima gigas is one of the many forgotten water species that still exist today. Most people haven’t heard anything about them for several years now. They are the so-called dinosaur fish. But don’t get me wrong, they never actually lived during the Jurassic times. It is just that they have somewhat similar features as these prehistoric-huge animals had.
Table of Contents
What is an arapaima fish?The arapaima, also known as paiche or pirarucu, is an air-breathing fish. It roams the rivers of the rainforest of the Amazonian Basin of South America and surrounding lakes and swamps. Pirarucus are known as the world’s largest freshwater fish species that can grow up to 15 feet long, weighing up to 200 to 440 pounds.
Generally, arapaima has tapered, coppery-green heads, inverted mouths, and a scaly, uncluttered black body with a white center. The Brazilian name pirarucu comes from the Tupi language which means, redfish.
Since this creature is air-breathing fish, they have to come up for air every ten to twenty minutes due to low oxygen levels in Amazon rivers. They do not have well-functioned lungs, but they have tissues in their swim bladder that opens into the fish’s mouth and function like lungs. They produce loud noise like a cough that even the entire river hears it.
It is quite rare to consider an Arapaima gigas as pets since they are massive in size and could exhibit aggressive behavior. However, it is still possible to adopt one. You just need to prepare for all their needs. Although you can start to adopt a young arapaima gigas, they can grow enormously over time. Arapaima is very adaptable to different environmental conditions. However, they need a big-sized tank with 1000 gallons of water or more. Never forget to install powerful filters as well. They prefer live or fresh foods and a much larger live food as they grow.
Usually, you can find an arapaima in animal amusement parks. They become a majestic display in large public aquariums that gives relief from stress for lots of people. Expert aquarists are usually the caretakers of these monster fish as they have high experience handling different types of fish species.
WARNING: Before attempting to keep Arapaima gigas as pets, make sure it is legal in your country/state.
We strongly discourage pet trades outside legal laws.
According to Froese and Pauly (2019), Arapaima gigas has been introduced in Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico, Cuba, China, the Philippines, and Singapore. The status of A. gigas in the wild is listed as probably established in Thailand, unknown in Malaysia, China, and the Philippines, probably not established in Singapore, and not established in Mexico and Cuba. Introduction [to Mexico] was unsuccessful due to cold climate. Large individuals were sighted in Bedok Reservoir and some ponds in eastern Singapore. Possibly also in flooded quarry pits on Pulau Ubin. (Source)
Average Cost of Owning an Arapaima FishIt is rare for ordinary people to bring home an arapaima gigas. For aquarium hobbyists, they are unique and highly appreciated. Because of their rapid growth and huge-size, only a limited number of people can purchase these dinosaur fish. From 1977 to 2004, around 87,000 Arapaima globally sold.
The average cost of Arapaima gigas as a pet is between $90 and $120 for the smaller ones from monster fish pet shops.
Again, check first if it is legal in your country before you adopt an arapaima.
Average Lifespan of an ArapaimaHow long does an arapaima live? Believe it or not, an arapaima fish can live up to 20 years in the wild. They stay with their parents for their first three months. After that, they are free to wander around the river. While in captivity, they generally have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Since they are continuously growing up to 480 pounds, they are less sensitive compared to other fish species. These are some of the good things about arapaima. They can live long, and you still have many years to know your fish and discover more about them. They reach sexual maturity at four to five years old.
How do people catch arapaima?During the ancient times, Arapaimas are taken as foods by many tribes of the Amazon.
These monster fishes are endemic to the Amazon rivers and used to live there in great numbers. Due to constant hunting by the tribes and other people, its population started to decrease. In 2012, it was believed that its population dropped to 800 in the said river (Source: National Geographic).
As the arapaima must occasionally come to the surface and breathe in air, it makes them vulnerable. The fisherman will then hunt the fish and throw it, or take it into large nets. The flesh of Arapaima gigas is renowned for being very tasty, so it is highly sought after by many in South America. It has also recently been introduced to eastern Asia for fisheries.
Catching and handling this giant fish with bare hands is difficult. You have to use a strong net to get them.
Are arapaima dangerous to humans?It is not the size that makes them dangerous, but it is about their aggressive behavior when they feel hungry. Arapaima has a broad bony head. When they feel provoked or threatened, they tend to use their short bursts of speed to attack.
But during typical days, they don’t show their aggressiveness. Arapaima lacks sharp teeth. So, even though they are large-sized fish, they cannot kill humans like sharks that have extensively sharp teeth and strong jaws.
When planning to take an arapaima home, you need to research their different behaviors. You should know the proper care for them. When you know how and you are confident that you can provide them the best care, there is no reason for them to be aggressive.
Diet for Arapaima gigasEveryone would be so curious to know the diet of this dinosaur fish. Arapaima gigas hunt and eat fish in the wild rivers. Aside from that, they also eat fruits, insects, frogs, and birds they can see on the water’s surface. Whenever they eat, they use the gulp method that forms a vacuum into their mouths. Arapaima’s tongue is sharp, with bony teeth on the roof of their plates that enable them to weaken and crush their prey.
Arapaima gigas can easily hunt for food in low-oxygen zones where gill-breathing fishes slow down.
They can also use short velocity speed gusts to attack potential prey, like lizards and small primates from low-hanging trees, by striking from the water’s surface .
Arapaima gigas can also eat shrimp, squid, and smelt in addition to their diets. When in captivity, they also love to munch on the gills and intestines of the usual market fish that people buy for food. So, instead of throwing these internal fish parts away after cleaning the fish, you can use them to feed your arapaimas. Just make sure it is clean and free from any harmful bacteria by washing them thoroughly.
How big can an arapaima get?An arapaima is so large that it can reach 177.0 inches or 449.58 cm. Moreover, they can grow over 23.62 inches or 60 cm in captivity. Most of them can be about 6.6 feet or 200 cm in the wild. The maximum size of arapaima are 15 feet weighing up to 200 to 440 pounds.
The arapaima is considered the largest freshwater fish in the world. Everyone is amazed at how big it is.
It is truly one of the beautiful creatures we can find in the freshwater. But due to overfishing, they are seriously at risk of extinction.
Arapaima deserves special care as well. Since it is an exotic fish to behold, more people think that this fish is unique and would sometimes identify them with dinosaurs.
Arapaimas are appropriately handled by aquarists who have experience in keeping monster fish like them. This fish is a surface or middle dweller. However, giving them a huge swimming space helps a lot in keeping them comfortable. Put floating plants inside the aquarium. They should take up only a small part of the surface of the water. A properly sealed aquarium lid is a must-have because this fish has excellent jumping skills.
Arapaima fish prosper in large ponds with aerated canopy-type tops. You can use gravel as the substrate and an aeration system. You can abundantly plat on the sides and back of the tank, but give an adequate space open for swimming.
Use only moderate lighting as these fish are hard to please in terms of lighting requirements.
Keep your temperature and pH range to 75-84 °F and 6.0-6.5. Arapaima feel comfortable in the water hardness range is 5-12 dGH. Be sure to install a filter system in the aquarium that can get excess dirt over the fish. Remember to change at least 15-20% of the water every week to maintain good water condition.
When feeding the arapaima, check first the food, especially the live ones. Before you begin to feed them, you need to isolate the live food first into a container and put warm water to disinfect the bacteria or disease they might carry.
Don’ts in Caring for an Arapaima gigasWhat could harm an arapaima if they are big enough to protect themselves? Indeed, arapaima is giant fish, but that doesn’t assure us that they are always in their best condition. Probably, when arapaima lives in captivity, there are sort of warnings that they are not doing well.
Do not forget to monitor them. In their aquarium, if you don’t regularly check the water’s quality or do not even bother to clean it, then chances are, your fish will get weak and sick. Failure to change15-20% of the water in the tank every week will make your arapaima vulnerable and lead to skin flukes, bacterial diseases, parasitic infections, and ichthyobodo infection. These diseases are too risky among arapaima as they eat live foods.
Do not put anything that is not thoroughly cleaned inside the fish tank. Anything that you add to your tank can bring disease and can quickly spread inside the tank. Plants, substrates, and decorations can contain bacteria. If the arapaima feels that they are not comfortable with their environment, they will likely be stress, and stress in fish can cause sudden death.
Do not overfeed them. Feeding your arapaima gigas with pellet diets can be bad for your fish. It should still have a mixture of live foods. It is important to note to clean first the live foods before giving them to the arapaima gigas as it may contain the disease and can cause death in a worst-case scenario.
An unbalanced diet can result in early death.
DO NOT ever release these fishes into any other place like ponds, rivers, etc. They have a high potential of becoming a very invasive species and would disrupt the existing ecosystem of aquatic life on that body of water.
ReferencesFroese, R., and D. Pauly, editors. 2019. Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822)
Fricke, R., W. N. Eschmeyer, and R. van der Laan, editors. 2019. Eschmeyer’s catalog of fishes: genera, species, references. Available: http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp. (February 2019).
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Hezekiah Artajo
Hezekiah is a pet lover since birth, according to his parents. He started writing for the Pets Checklist in 2020. He is fond of playing with and taking pictures of different friendly animals around his neighborhood. He loves to read and write articles about pets, science, and music.
photos, habitats, description, how to fish
South America is famous for its exotic inhabitants. What kind of outlandish animals do not inhabit these places. It is in South America that the largest freshwater fish lives. It is called arapaima. This is the real king among fish. Its gigantic size can scare any daredevil. She is even bigger than an alligator fish. What is it like for such a giant to live in the calm waters of America? What does it eat and how does it survive?
Material content
- 1 habitat of gigantic fish
- 2 appearance of giant arapim
- 3 hunting and nutrition of monsters
- 4 Prevention of Pisces
- 5 Hunting for Arapim
Hailing of giant fish
9000 9000 9000 Arapims do not like quick rivers, therefore, they do You don't see them very often in the Amazon. But in nearby reservoirs and ponds they are quite comfortable. They prefer waters overgrown with grass. Here they feel comfortable and safe.
In these places they appeared 135 million years ago. Since then, they have not changed and continue to swim relaxedly without worrying about anything. After all, few people want to compete with such a giant. Such fish can suffer only at a young age, while they have not yet reached their huge size. Arapaima has another name: piraruku. It translates as "red fish". So the Indians call the giant for the red spots on the scales.
Appearance of the Giant Arapaima
Residents of America claim that there are arapaima reaching 4 meters in length and 200 kg of weight. But still, such large specimens are rare. Most often you can meet a 2-meter individual. The scales of the fish are quite dense and covered with red spots. The size of each scale can reach 4 cm. Red spots can also be on the fins. A special swim bladder allows the arapaima to breathe atmospheric air. Swimming to the surface, the fish opens its mouth wide to swallow air. The large head of the fish is, as it were, flattened from above and looks small in comparison with the body, which gives the arapaima a disproportionate appearance.
Hunting and feeding the monster
Arapaima is a predatory fish. She eats small fish and shrimp. To hunt, the fish has to freeze and pretend to be a log floating in a pond. Having noticed the prey, the predator freezes and sharply attacks the prey, completely swallowing it. Shrimp are especially loved by young individuals that have not yet reached large sizes.
Fish breeding
Arapaima are ready to breed when they are five years old. Spawning occurs close to the shore, not deep. The male digs a spawning hole in the ground with his own mouth. This is where the female lays her eggs. Future parents jointly protect their nest, not sailing far from it. Dad does not leave his cubs for another week after birth. A special mucus is secreted on its head, to which the cubs are drawn. This allows them to swim in a flock. The relationship between father and children can last up to 3 months. After reaching this age, the fish begin to live an independent life.
Arapaima hunting
Arapaima hunting used to be random and unsupervised. Fishermen navigate by the peculiar sound that the fish makes when they breathe. The second signal to the fishermen is the funnel that the pyraruk creates when it floats to the surface. In such a large fish, the funnel is large and can be seen from afar. Fishermen throw a harpoon into this whirlpool, aiming at the fish. It is not always possible to hit the target the first time. Due to fishing with nets, the number of arapaima has declined sharply. Adults became rarer, as young fish were quickly caught. Therefore, in many lakes, fishing for arapaima is prohibited and a license is required for it. Individuals more than one and a half meters long are prohibited from selling. The potential threat of extinction has affected the fight against poaching.
The largest freshwater fish in the world lives quite well in the waters of South America. It would seem that nothing threatens such a giant.
And if not for fishing, then this species would be more numerous. But due to poaching, these amazing creatures are considered endangered. People should honor all the creatures of nature, especially such unique and unrepeatable ones.
everything they didn't tell you about this species
Meet the arapaima fish today, this species is known for its large size, the scientific name of this species of fish is Arapaima gigas and it inhabits lakes and rivers located in the Amazon basin, know many more facts about this interesting continuation of the fish.
Description of the arapaima fish
This is a species of arapaima native to the Amazon and known to grow in Brazil, Guyana and Peru. This species has been introduced to parts of East Asia both for fishing purposes and by accident. It is also popularly known as pyrarucu, it is one of the largest freshwater fish, for survival, it periodically floats to the surface to swallow air. You can also learn about cichlids in a very interesting way.
Arapaima gigas was originally thought to be the only species in the genus Arapaima, but later other species were identified, as well as the rarity of specimens and the loss of various types of specimens, leading to some uncertainty regarding classification within the genus. the personalities of the persons described.
This species is one of the largest freshwater fish known, typically measuring 200 cm and reaching an exceptional length of up to 450 cm. Adults can weigh up to 200 kg. Arapaima fish has a streamlined body with dorsal and anal fins close to the tail. This species is considered tropical due to its habitat, so be sure to get to know other tropical fish.
While the body is mostly gray to grey-green, its local Brazilian name "pirarucu" comes from the local word for "red fish", which is believed to refer to red spots on the scales closer to the tail or to a reddish orange color. fillet. The air bladder of the arapaima fish allows the fish to breathe air.
Only very young species have functional gills. This fish seeks oxygen-poor waters where other fish (see lungfish) are slow.
Arapaima fish accumulate large reserves of fat during the dry season, this will help the fish when they become parents. As the rainy season approaches, both sexes help to dig a hole 50 cm wide and 20 cm deep in the shallow silt by digging with the lower jaw, flippers and mouth. There, a large female can lay up to 50,000 eggs, which are then fertilized by the male.
He guards the nest, while the female stays nearby to scare off predators. Newly hatched young stay close to the parents' head, which turns greyish black at this time to help camouflage the dark young. When the young are old enough to fend for themselves, the parent swims and their head loses its dark color.
Importance of the arapaima fish
The arapaima fish is a species belonging to a primitive group of bone-tonguing carnivorous fish, the Osteoglossidae, which crush their prey with a large tongue studded with teeth.
In fact, the Amazonian peoples use the tongues of dried arapaima fish as a seed grater. This fish is very important for this area of the indigenous people who inhabit the Amazon.
This fish is also an important source of protein in the diet of people along the river, but the large arapaima has become less common in some areas due to overfishing and should be handled with care. We don't want to destroy all species. because of this practice, for example, the pipefish is already on the list of endangered species due to the overfishing it has suffered in recent years.
In the past, this species has suffered greatly from overfishing, exacerbated by its easily exploited habit of regularly surfacing for air. Although fishing for the arapaima has been banned in Brazil since 2001, illegal fishing is likely to continue and the population is believed to be declining.
The arapaima is not currently protected by the IUCN due to the lack of detailed information on population evolution.
