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Others
/ Osteoglossidae / Arapaima
Pirarucu, Arapaima
Arapaima gigas | Pictures
Pirarucu, Arapaima [Pictures]
Arapaima gigas
Synonyms: Sudis
gigas, S. piracuru, Vastres agassizii, V. curvieri
Physical description: The body is covered with large, thick scales. The tail is small and round and the body
is elongated. It has a large, wide mouth that faces upward. Its head to midsection is dark brown to black with
blue highlights. From the midsection to the tip of the tail, the scale are dark, but edged with red. The red color
becomes more dominant towards the tail.
Size/Length: To 16' (4.9 m) in nature, although usually not more than 5' (1.5 m) in captivity.
Similar species: None
Habitat: Inhabits floodplain pools with little oxygen in South America; Amazon and Orinoco
rivers.
S: top
Aquarium: A tank measuring 96" (244 cm) with a capacity exceeding 200 gallons (758 L) is suitable
for fish measuring up to 30" (76 cm).
Larger fish should be transferred to a larger tank or to a public aquarium.
Large
open swimming areas should be provided along with areas of plating with large plants.
A tight fitting cover is required as
this large species can jump.
A powerful filtration system to remove waste is needed, although it should create little
current.
A cover of floating plants to diffuse the lighting is suggested.
Water chemistry: pH 5.8-7.2 (6.7), 2-12 dH (8), 75-86°F (24-30°C)
Social behavior:
Only combine with other large fish of lower swimming levels.
A highly predatory fish that acts aggressively
towards similar species.
Suggested companions: Astronotus,
Anostomus, Cichlasomines, Loricarids,
Colossoma, Leporinus, Mylossoma, Pseudoplatystoma, Serrasalmus, Sorubim
FOOD: Live; primarily fish, also large crustaceans, frogs; chopped meat; possibly pellets
once acclimated.
Sexual differences: Males are redder during the spawning season.
Breeding techniques: Breeding is nearly impossible in an aquarium.
Goulding documented the Arapaima's reproductive
behavior in nature, at the start of the flood season, the Arapaima prepares a nest in shallow areas of stagnant
water pools.
Both the male and the female use their snout, mouth, and fins to dig a pit in the river bed.
This
pit can measure up to 20" (50 cm) in diameter and 8" (20 cm) deep.
The female deposits up to 50,000 eggs
in this nest, after which the male fertilizes them.
The parents drive off predators by loud tail-slaps that they produce
when they surface to breathe.
The male protects the eggs while the female guards the general territory.
The eggs hatch after 4-5 days, and the
1/2" (13 mm) larvae are free-swimming 6-7 days after.
The young have functioning gills, but still surface
every 4-6 minutes (Goulding 133).
The young match the dark color of the male's head, and camouflage well while swimming near
him. Once
the young are old enough to fend for themselves, after about three months, they are abandoned.
Few eggs and fry survive because of
heavy prederation.
Breeding potential: 10.
Breeding is not possible in the home aquarium.
Remarks: The Arapaima is the largest predatory fish of the Amazon.
It is an excellent jumper and can weigh
up to 500 lbs (228 kg).
During the dry season, the Arapaima seeks out floodplain lakes with little oxygen they
can prey on the abundant fish trapped in a small area.
The Arapaima breathes through its swim bladder, which is lined with
blood vessels.
Adults surface every 10-15 minutes, but can remain without atmospheric oxygen for up to
30 minutes if pursued (Goulding 133).
When surfacing, this fish makes a characteristic grunt-coughing sound.
The
Arapaima does not bite with its mouth or jaw, but uses its tooth-covered tongue to crush prey up against the roof
of its mouth.
Dried Arapaima tongues were once used as seed graters for soda drink powder (Goulding 134).
The
Arapaima becomes sexually mature at 5.5' (168 cm).
This species is considered endangered in Brazil, and cannot be legally
exported form that country. Conservation efforts
Farming the world's largest freshwater fish - an alternative to deforestation
Difficulty of care: 10.
This hardy species grows too large to be kept in a home aquarium.
This species is best left in the wild
where it belongs.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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