Then, during low-water months, arapaimas construct nests in sandy bottoms where the females lay eggs. Adult males play an unusual reproductive role by incubating tens of thousands of eggs in their mouths, guarding them aggressively and moving them when necessary. The eggs begin to hatch as rising water levels provide them with flood conditions in which to flourish. Arapaima gigas was long believed to be the only species of arapaima, but in scientists proved that another species of the fish exists.
Since then, further studies have shown that there may be five or more species of arapaimas. Local people often salt and dry the meat , which can be stored without rotting, important in a region with little refrigeration. Their numbers have declined dramatically throughout the region mainly because of overfishing.
In recent years, new management practices involving local fishing communities in Brazil have boosted arapaima populations. This makes the arapaima an ideal species for farming. Arapaimas have been introduced as an aquaculture species to other rivers in tropical South America. It has also been introduced for sport fishing in Thailand and Malaysia. All rights reserved. Common Name: Arapaima. Scientific Name: Arapaima gigas.
Diet: Carnivore. Size: up to 15 feet. Weight: up to pounds. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Lemurs sing in unique human-like rhythms. Animals Domestic horses' mysterious origins may finally be revealed. Animals How does wildfire smoke affect wildlife? Animals Why animals developed four types of skeletons.
Animals This odd Colorado River fish faces an uncertain future. Environment A rising sea is eating away this Brazilian town. Environment Planet Possible How to brew a greener beer. Environment This year project is tracking the Cascades' melting glaciers. Environment Planet Possible Weather disaster deaths are lower—will warming undo that trend? In the wild, the arapaima eats mostly fish but is also known to eat fruits, seeds, insects, birds and mammals found on the surface of the water.
In order to eat, they use a "gulper" feeding strategy: by opening their large mouths they create a vacuum that pulls in nearby food objects. Their tongues and sharp, bony teeth, combined with the teeth on the roof of their palates, allow them to debilitate and shred their prey.
The arapaima can easily feed in low-oxygen areas where gill-breathing fish are forced to slow down. They can also use short bursts of speed to attack potential prey hitting the surface of the water.
At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, their diet consists of herring, squid, smelt, shrimp, fruit and gels. During the dry season between February and March, arapaima lay thousands of eggs in nests about 28 inches 70 centimeters long and 10 inches 25 centimeters deep hollowed out in the sand by their fins. The eggs hatch at the beginning of the wet season between October and November , which allows for the fry baby fish to gather food.
It is also thought that mouth incubation takes place. The male protects the fry by drawing them into his flat, long mouth and moving them to another location if predators get too close. Sexual maturity is reached after about 4 or 5 years of age.
In the s, the arapaima population began to decline due to overfishing until it went commercially extinct near major Amazonian cities. Pesticides and the amount of other animals dependent on aquatic habitats have also contributed to their decline. A favorite food amongst the Amazonian natives, the arapaima is harpooned not only to be eaten but also for its scales, which can reach 4 inches 10 centimeters in length and are used for jewelry.
Their bony tongues can also be used as a scraper. In Brazil, commercial fishing of wild arapaima is banned, but they are being bred with some success in indoor ponds in Germany and artificial lakes in Peru.
In , arapaima known as paiche in Peru, where it has been farm-raised and certified sustainable , appeared on the menu of several prominent U. Skip to main content. Entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. All visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask in all indoor spaces at the Zoo, regardless of their vaccination status. Fully vaccinated visitors do not need to wear a mask in outdoor areas. Video of Arapaima - Web Header. Animals Animals A-Z Arapaima.
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