Key Information
Arapaima
| Species | 4 or 5 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Length | Up to 10 ft 1 inch |
| Weight | Up to 440 lb |
| Classification | Actinopterygii > Osteoglossiformes > Arapaiminae |
| Conservation Status | Uncertain |
| Habitat | Oxygen poor rivers mainly in the Amazon |
Learning Point
- The Arapaima is one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. It breathes air on the surface of the water, and because of this and its size, it is easily caught by fisherman, which has threatened its survival in some places. There is a lot unknown about this fish, which makes protecting it more challenging.
Project
- Draw an Arapaima in its natural habitat.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Places (Arapaima gigas) | South America, but introduced to other places |
Fun Facts
- Arapaima can grow up to 8 ft 6 inches, and the longest known was over 10 ft long.
- The fish is an air breather, using its labyrinth organ, which gives it an advantage in the waters around the Amazon River which can have less oxygen than normal.
- The arapaima male is a mouth-brooder, meaning the young are protected in his mouth until they are older.
- An individual fish can yield as much as 150 lb of meat.
Past Lessons
| 118 | March 13, 2024 | (North America) |