Amazonian arapaima. The biggest fish in the amazon river

Arapaima is a real living relic, a fish that is the same age as dinosaurs. This amazing creature that lives in the rivers and lakes of South America is considered one of the largest freshwater fish in the world: only some individuals of the beluga can exceed the size of the arapaima.

Description of arapaima

Arapaima - a relic freshwater fish that lives in the tropics. It belongs to the Aravan family, which, in turn, belongs to the Aravan-like order. Arapaima gigas is exactly what its scientific name sounds like. And this living fossil has a number of unique features.

Appearance

Arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish: it usually grows up to two meters in length, but some of the representatives of this species can reach a length of three meters. And, if you believe the testimony of eyewitnesses, then there are also Arapaims up to 4.6 meters in length. The weight of the largest specimen caught was 200 kg. The body of this fish is elongated, slightly flattened laterally and strongly tapering to a relatively small elongated head.

The skull has a slightly flattened shape from above, the eyes are shifted to the lower part of the muzzle, the not too large mouth is located relatively high. The tail is strong and powerful, thanks to it the fish can make powerful, lightning-fast throws, and it also helps it jump out of the water, chasing prey. The scales covering the body are multi-layered in structure, very large and embossed. The head of the fish is covered with bony plates.

It is interesting! Thanks to its unique, incredibly strong scales, which are ten times stronger than bone, the arapaima can live in the same reservoirs with piranhas without any harm to itself, which do not even try to attack it.

The pectoral fins of this fish are located quite low: almost near the belly. The dorsal and anal fins are relatively long and seem to be shifted towards the tail itself. Thanks to their arrangement, a kind of oar is formed, which gives the fish acceleration when it rushes to prey.

The front part of the body of this living relic is colored olive-brown with a bluish tint. Near the unpaired fins, the olive color gradually turns into reddish, and at the level of the tail it becomes dark red. The tail is set off by a wide darkish border. Gill covers can also be painted in a reddish tone. Sexual dimorphism in these fish is quite well expressed: the male has a more slender body and is brighter colored. And only young individuals, regardless of their gender, have a similar, not too bright color.

Behavior, lifestyle

Arapaima tries to stick to the bottom lifestyle, but she can also hunt closer to the surface of the reservoir. This large fish is constantly in search of food, so you can rarely see it motionless, except perhaps at the time of tracking down prey or a short rest. Arapaima, thanks to its powerful tail, can jump out of the water to its entire length, that is, 2-3, and possibly 4 meters. She often does this when she is chasing her prey, who is trying to fly away from her or run along the low growing branches of a tree.

It is interesting! The surface of the pharynx and swim bladder of this amazing creature is permeated with a dense network of blood vessels, and in its structure resembles cells, which makes it similar in structure to lung tissue.

Thus, the pharynx and swim bladder of this fish also perform the functions of an additional respiratory organ. Thanks to them, arapaima can breathe atmospheric air which helps her survive the drought.

When the reservoirs become shallow, she burrows into wet silt or sand, but at the same time rises to the surface every few minutes in order to take a breath of air, and she does it so noisily that the sounds from her loud breaths are carried far throughout the district. Call arapaima decorative aquarium fish it is impossible, however, it is often kept in captivity, where, although it does not grow to particularly large sizes, it may well reach a length of 50-150 cm.

This fish is often kept in zoos, aquariums. Keeping her in captivity is not too easy, if only because you need a huge aquarium and constant maintenance. comfortable temperature. After all, a decrease in water temperature even by 2-3 degrees can lead to very unpleasant consequences for such a heat-loving fish. However, arapaima is even kept by some amateur aquarists, who, of course, can afford to create suitable living conditions for her.

How long does arapaima live

There is no reliable data on how long such giants live in natural conditions. Given that in aquariums such fish, depending on the conditions of existence and the quality of care for them, live for 10-20 years, it can be assumed that in their natural habitat they live at least 8-10 years, unless, of course, they are caught earlier. fishermen in a net or on a harpoon.

Range, habitats

This living fossil lives in the Amazon, on the territory of countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana and Brazil. Also, this species was artificially populated in the reservoirs of Thailand and Malaysia.

Under natural conditions, the fish prefers to settle in river backwaters and lakes overgrown with aquatic vegetation, but it is also found in other floodplain water bodies with warm water, the temperature of which is from +25 to +29 degrees.

It is interesting! During the rainy season, arapaima tends to move to flooded floodplain forests, and with the onset of the dry season, return back to rivers and lakes.

If, with the onset of drought, it is not possible to return to their native reservoir, the arapaima experiences this time in small lakes that remain in the middle of the forest after the water recedes. Thus, back to the river or lake, if she is lucky to survive the dry period, the fish returns only after the next rainy season, when the water begins to recede again.

Arapaima diet

Arapaima is an agile and dangerous predator, most of the diet of which is small and medium-sized fish. But she will not miss the chance to hunt small mammals and birds sitting on the branches of a tree or descending to a river or lake for a drink.

Young individuals of this species are generally extremely promiscuous in food and eat everything: medium-sized fish, larvae and adult insects, small snakes, small birds or animals, and even carrion.

It is interesting! Arapaima's favorite "dish" is its distant relative, Aravana, also belonging to the Aravan-like order.

In captivity, these fish are mainly fed with protein food: they are fed with butchered sea or freshwater fish, poultry meat, beef offal, as well as shellfish and amphibians. Considering that arapaima spends a lot of time chasing prey in its natural habitat, small fish are launched into the aquarium where it lives. Adults feed in this way once a day, but juveniles should feed three times, no less. If the feeding is delayed, then the grown up arapaims can begin to hunt fish living in the same aquarium with them.

Reproduction and offspring

Females can breed only after they reach the age of 5 years and a size of at least one and a half meters.. In nature, spawning in arapaima occurs at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring: approximately, in February-March. At the same time, the female prepares the nest for spawning in advance, even before spawning. For these purposes, she chooses a shallow and warm reservoir with a sandy bottom, where there is no current at all or it is hardly noticeable. There, at the bottom, she digs a hole 50 to 80 cm wide and 15 to 20 cm deep, where later, returning with the male, and lays eggs that are large in size.

After about two days, the eggs burst and fry come out of them. All this time, starting from the laying of eggs by the female and until the moment when the juveniles become independent, the male is next to his offspring: he protects, takes care of, takes care of him and even feeds him. But the female also does not go far: she guards the nest, while moving away from it no more than 10-15 meters.

It is interesting! At first, the fry are constantly near the male: they even feed on white matter, which is secreted by glands located near his eyes. The same substance, due to the specific smell, also serves as a kind of beacon for the little arapaim, telling the fry where they should swim so as not to lose sight of their father.

At first, juveniles grow rapidly and gain weight well: on average, they grow by 5 cm per month and add 100 grams. The fry begin to lead a predatory lifestyle within a week after their birth, and at the same time they become independent. At first, starting to hunt, they feed on plankton and small invertebrates, and only later do they switch to medium-sized fish and other “adult” prey.

However, adult fish continue for another three months look after your offspring. Perhaps this guardianship, so unusual for other fish, is explained by the fact that arapaim fry up to a certain age do not know how to breathe atmospheric air and their parents later teach them this.

natural enemies

In its natural habitat, the arapaima has practically no enemies, since even piranhas are unable to bite through its surprisingly strong scales. There is unconfirmed information that these fish are sometimes hunted, but this, according to eyewitnesses, is extremely rare.

Many years ago, arapaima was brought to Thailand and settled in natural and artificial reservoirs. Its homeland is the Amazon. Today, it breeds quite actively and is an object of not only sports, but also commercial fishing. Although the latter is not welcomed by environmental structures. This fish is one of the main lures for tourists to the Monster Lake and various fishing parks in Pattaya. Tour operators offer hunting for incredible fish sizes. However, not everyone knows that the real parameters are somewhat less.

Biological description

Arapaima giant has many other names. It is also called pirarucu, paiche or brazilian arapaima. At the same time, her Latin name is Arapaima gigas. It has an oblong body compressed from the sides, which reaches an average length of about two meters. Weight is usually up to two hundred kilograms. It belongs to the herring order and is a representative of the bone-lingual suborder. Historically, this freshwater fish lives in the basins of large tropical rivers. It is found in the waters of Peru, Brazil and some other hot countries.

The main diet consists of invertebrates and smaller counterparts. Her body is covered with large scales, forming a tangible relief. Such armor reliably protects it from the attack of other predators. Her eggs are very large, although the parents reliably guard the masonry. The coloring is quite interesting. In the anterior-upper part of the body, the brown-olive color weakens in the middle of the body closer to the hind fins. Greenish overflows in the back are replaced by pinkish and become dark red towards the tail. She received this color as a result of evolution that lasted millions of years.

We can say that over the past 135 million years, the morphology of this amazing animal has not changed. However, it existed before. Therefore, it is called a fossil fish. It is also interesting in that it belongs to the lungfish. Some structures in her body allow her to breathe, both dissolved in water and atmospheric air. Due to this, its migration through arid sections of rivers is possible, and even piranha teeth cannot bite through armor scales. Apparently, therefore this species so successfully kept himself all this time.

Interesting facts and legends

In addition to reliable data, there are many different legends about arapaima. Anglers always tend to exaggerate when talking about their catch. Therefore, there are a lot of stories about multi-meter specimens. There is official data on the largest individual caught. In 1978, she was found in Brazil. Its length was two and a half meters, and its weight was 150 kilograms. However, some stories tell about specimens up to three or even four meters in length. It is these stories that travel agencies use to lure tourists.

Fishing methods and other subtleties

As mentioned above, in Pattaya and some other resorts they offer to try their luck in catching arapaima. But where can this be done if fishing in natural waters is prohibited? This city has special artificial lakes and ponds where this ancient giant lives. It was specially brought here for the entertainment of tourists. Conditions are created for its growth and reproduction. Therefore, here it can reach a length of up to two meters and a little more.

The most famous of all places in Thailand is Monster Lake. Mekong catfish and other freshwater giants live in it. Since it often floats to the surface to breathe, it is not that difficult to spot. They catch her not on ordinary spinning. Due to its large size, it will easily break any rod. Usually a piece of meat is tied to a strong thick stick and lowered into the water where the fish found itself. She quite trustingly falls for the “hook”, but it is impossible to cope with it alone. Tourists are invited to take a photo with their prey. But for this, a team of experienced fishermen first pacifies her.

It is impossible to catch arapaima with nets or other methods here. But only young individuals would still be caught in the net. In captivity, they live up to ten years, but even in the middle of life they can already reach a length of one and a half meters. Of course, all the conditions for life and reproduction in phishing parks are created. But additional stress does not contribute to active spawning. Such fishing is allowed only due to the fact that the prey was bred specifically for such events. If you are not embarrassed by the decline in the population of these giants in the water, it is quite possible to go for such a trophy. In any case, they will not give it to you, but simply give a memorable photo.

Dangerous fish!

Despite the fact that the fish finds itself quite easily, it is a dangerous predator. You can catch her, but it is hardly safe to engage in direct combat with her. She has a very powerful tail and dense scales, which cannot be said about a person. The fish can bite through the arm or leg. In addition, a blow with its tail can cause serious injury. You should not show excessive courage in communication in this inhabitant of the fresh waters of Pattaya. As already mentioned, for a photo with their prey, experienced fishermen will calm her down for a while.

Arapaima can be especially dangerous when protecting their offspring. These fish are quite caring parents. They guard the masonry very carefully. Approaching the place of laid eggs is a very dangerous occupation. She easily capsizes boats and attacks people. This fish can even kill! Therefore, before sending it on a hunt, you should think about the safety of such an event. Is it necessary to expose yourself to such a risk in order to amuse your ego?

This unique fish is still not fully understood. All the main data about it are recorded from the words of tourists or travelers.

Distinctive features

1. Powerful body with a multilayered structure, covered with large and dense scales. The width of each scale is approximately 4 cm. Thanks to this, it easily survives among piranhas and other predatory inhabitants.
2. The elongated head, flattened from above, seems small against the background of a massive body.
3. The front part is olive-brown, iridescent greenish-blue. A reddish tint emanates from the pelvic fins, and a dark red at the tail.
4. The dorsal and ventral fins are close to the caudal, making them look symmetrical.
5. An acute reaction to a change in temperature in the reservoir. Not adapted to cool water, but easily tolerate heat.

They call the predator in different ways:

• Piraruku (Brazil);
• Arapaima or arapaima (Guiana);
• Paiche (Latin America).

Habitat

There are predators in the aquatic environment of South America, including in the eastern and western parts of the Amazon River. They prefer water bodies with indented banks, the presence of a variety of flora, a calm river with a slow current. That is why the Amazon arapaima fish is almost never found in the river itself.

Incredible dimensions

Arapaima giant - a fish whose weight is 2 centners, and the size is 2.5 meters. It is not uncommon for individuals to be longer. Huge dimensions do not meet the standards of fish living in freshwater, so arapaima is considered a unique predator. The largest arapaima, reaching 4.5 meters and weighing 200 kg, is the record holder among all aquatic inhabitants.

Arapaima - lungfish

This means that she has both branchial and pulmonary respiration. Its pharynx and swim bladder are enveloped by lung tissue, due to which it becomes possible to use air for breathing. This is necessary to adapt to water with a small amount of oxygen.
The process of oxygen uptake is very interesting.

Before the fish emerge for a breath of air, small circles form on the surface of the water. Having opened its mouth as much as possible, it is shown from the water. Sucking in a little freshness, she instantly closes her mouth and plunges into the depths. The action lasts a few seconds. Adults need this breath every 10 to 15 minutes, younger individuals require more.

What does this individual eat?

Young growth eats everything that manages to grab:

• Larvae and insects;
• small fish;
• Little snakes;
• Birds and vertebrates.

Adults are less voracious, but they are more selective about food:

1. Small and medium fish;
2. Birds;
3. Small animals that came to drink water.

spawning time

The ability to reproduce in females appears only in the fifth year of life. The spawning season is at the end of February - beginning of March. Due to the dry climate of the Amazon, this is the best time to visit. They start looking for a couple a month before this period. Ideal spawning conditions: sandy bottom, shallow depth, no rough current.

The female makes a deep depression at the bottom, digging it out with her strong body. Caviar is deposited in a dug hole. The female carefully guards the laid eggs, not letting the enemies closer than 15 meters. The male is also always there, controls the safety of eggs.

In the season of frequent showers, the eggs break, fry appear. For 3 months they are under the care of their parents. The fry feed on a substance located on the male just above the eyes. A week later, independent food production begins. They grow slowly, adding about 5 cm per month and no more than 100 grams.

What is this beautiful fish biting on?

Initially, arapaima was caught with a harpoon, now preference is given to nets, a donk, a float fishing rod. Shellfish are used as bait, anise oil and cake are used as bait.

Life in artificial conditions

In Europe, Asia, Latin America, fish is found in huge aquariums, man-made reservoirs, and zoos. They are not placed in the same container with other species, after all, they are predatory inhabitants. In captivity, they live 10 - 12 years.

Capture restrictions

The meat of these aquatic inhabitants is considered a delicacy - nutritious, light, with a delicate aroma. Previously, catching arapaima was allowed without restrictions. People did not think that this could lead to a decrease in the population. Now, in many areas, trapping is strictly controlled and allowed in limited quantities to those who have a license issued by the ministry.

Arapaima fish video:

The giant arapaima (lat. Arapaima gigas) can hardly be called a fish for a home aquarium, since it is very large, but it’s also impossible not to talk about it.

In nature, it reaches an average body length of 200 cm, but larger specimens are documented, more than 3 meters in length. And in the aquarium, it is smaller, as a rule, about 60 cm.

This monstrous fish is also known as pirarucu or paiche. This is a formidable predator that eats mainly fish, fast and impetuous.

She can also, like a somewhat similar arowana, can jump out of the water and grab birds and animals sitting on tree branches.

Of course, due to its huge size, the arapaima is not well suited for home aquariums, but it can often be seen in zoos and animal exhibitions, where it lives in large pools stylized as its homeland - the Amazon.

Moreover, it is even banned in some countries, due to the danger that, if released into the wild, it will destroy local fish species. Of course, this does not threaten us, due to climatic conditions.

At the moment, find a mature individual in nature not an easy task for biologists. Arapaima has never been a very common species, and now it has become even less common.

Most often it can be found in wetlands, with a low oxygen content in the water. To survive in such conditions, the arapaima has developed a special breathing apparatus that allows it to breathe atmospheric oxygen.

And to survive, she needs to rise to the surface of the water for oxygen every 20 minutes.

In addition, pyraruku has been the main source of food for the tribes inhabiting the Amazon for many centuries.

It was the fact that she rises for air to the surface that killed her, people tracked down this moment, and then killed her with hooks or caught her in nets. Such extermination significantly reduced the population and put it at risk of destruction.

Arapaima Amazonian (Latin Arapaima gigas) was first described in 1822. It lives along the entire length of the Amazon and in its tributaries.

Its habitats depend on the season. During the dry season, the arapaima migrates to lakes and rivers, and during the rainy season, to flooded forests. Often lives in swampy areas, where it has adapted to breathe atmospheric oxygen, swallowing it from the surface.

And in nature, sexually mature arapaima feed mainly on fish and birds, but juveniles are much more insatiable and eat almost everything - fish, insects, larvae, invertebrates.

Description

The arapaima has a long and elongated body with two small pectoral fins. The color of the body is greenish with a variety of tints, and reddish scales on the abdomen.

She has extremely hard scales that are more like a shell and are very difficult to pierce.

This is one of the largest freshwater fish, in the aquarium it grows about 60 cm and lives for about 20 years.

And in nature, the average length is 200 cm, although there are larger individuals. There is evidence of arapaima 450 cm long, but they date back to the beginning of the last century and are not documented.

The maximum confirmed weight is 200 kg. Juveniles remain with their parents for the first three months of life and reach sexual maturity only at 5 years of age.

Difficulty in content

Despite the fact that arapaima is very undemanding, but due to its size and aggressiveness, it is not realistic to keep it in a home aquarium.

She needs about 4000 liters of water to feel normal. However, it is very common in zoos and various exhibitions.

Feeding

A predator that feeds mainly on fish, but also eats birds, invertebrates, and rodents. Characteristically, they jump out of the water and grab animals sitting on tree branches.

In captivity, they feed on all types of live food - fish, rodents and various artificial foods.

Feeding at the zoo:

Sex differences

It is difficult to determine, during spawning, the male becomes brighter than the female.

Breeding

The female reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5 years and with a body length of 170 cm.

In nature, arapaima spawn during the dry season, from February to April they build a nest, and with the onset of the rainy season, the eggs hatch and the fry are in ideal conditions for growth.

They usually dig a nest in the sandy bottom, where the female lays her eggs. All the time, the parents guard the nest, and the fry remain under their protection for at least 3 months after birth.

The longest river in the world is the Amazon. Together with tropical forests, which are spread in its basin, it is a whole separate ecosystem, full of a wealth of species of representatives of flora and fauna. It is here that some of the most dangerous predators on the planet live, such as jaguars, caimans and anacondas. The swift waters of the river hide no less scary monsters- piranhas, known for their powerful jaws and incredible gluttony. Among the more than 2,000 species of fish that inhabit the Amazon, the most big fish- arapaima (arapaima).

Name

In science, she is known as Arapaima gigas, the name was given to her by the ancient Indians of Guiana. The Latin word "gigas" means "giant". For many centuries, the indigenous people of Brazil have called it pirarucu "pirarucu" (puraruku) - "red fish" for many centuries. bright color meat. In Peru, the name paiche is common.

The first study by scientists dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, a little later it was concluded that this is a fossil species that has not changed at all over the past millennia.

Definition

This bottom fish is considered a real giant, as it reaches an average of 2 m, while the weight is about 90 kg.

Observers claim that specimens of 3 m can be found in this region, and the maximum possible length of the big fish on the Amazon is 4.6 m. But, unfortunately, these data have not been officially confirmed.

According to the stories of local residents, in 1978, a fish 2.48 m long and weighing 147 kg was caught in Rio Negro in Brazil. This fact was recorded in local chronicles.

Arapaima has a long body compressed on the sides, an elongated flat head, a wide mouth with sharp teeth on the tongue and palate (for reliable fixation of prey). The dorsal and anal fins are long, the pectoral fins are located below. The color changes from olive and gray (front) to dark red (back) and black tail. As a rule, the male looks much brighter and slimmer than the female.

The main distinguishing feature is the presence of large embossed scales (4 cm wide), which are multi-layered and characterized by incredible strength. It is this feature that allows the arapaima to survive in the company of piranhas during the dry months, when shallow reservoirs form, separated from the main water artery.

In comparison with bone tissue, the strength of scales is 10 times higher.

From strong scales, local craftsmen make manicure tools and various souvenirs, and the dried tongue is used as sandpaper.

Where does he live

The main region of distribution is the Amazon River in South America in Peru and Brazil. Prefers muddy areas with dense vegetation, as well as swamps and flooded areas. Optimum temperature water is + 25 ... + 29 degrees Celsius, as it has a sharp reaction to changes in ambient temperature. In the dry period, it lives in rivers and lakes, in the rain it moves to flooded forests.

Behavior

The basis of the diet of this predator is small fish, small animals and birds, which are hunted almost on the surface of the water. Arapaima has the ability to breathe air, since its swim bladder and pharynx are densely covered with blood vessels, which are a kind of lung tissue. This function was formed due to the low oxygen content in the river, as a result of which there was a need for an additional respiratory organ. Floating up for a new portion of air after 5-20 minutes, it creates a loud sound that looks like a cough, it can be heard at a considerable distance. In a drought, the fish, having gained air, can burrow into the silt of swamps and successfully wait out adverse conditions.

The first spawning (April-May) in arapaima occurs at almost 5 years, when the body length reaches 0.6-2.15 m. Having chosen a shallow place, the female builds a hole-nest, where she lays large eggs. Observations of their behavior have shown that it is possible to use the same nest for several years. After 1.5-2 days, larvae appear, all this time the male is busy guarding the masonry, and the female controls the adjacent area.

Exemplary and caring fathers are obtained from males: thanks to special glands on their heads with the secretion of mucus, the parent manages to keep the born generation next to him. The fry do not swim far, as the secreted mucus contains a substance that lures them, they are constantly in the flock next to the father's head. Also, together with it, they rise to the surface for air intake. After 3 months, this relationship weakens. The growth of fry in a month is up to 5 cm.

Protection by the Convention

Due to uncontrolled fishing with nets and harpoons, this valuable commercial species may be endangered. Even now, individuals larger than 2 m are extremely rare, especially in regions with a high population density, in some of them it is already forbidden to catch arapaima.

Today it is officially included in the Red Book and the list of species of wild flora and fauna that are threatened with extinction. It is protected at the state level according to the international convention of countries and some environmental projects in South America.

To preserve the population, fishing is allowed only with a license from the Ministry Agriculture in the quantity strictly specified in the document.

Life in captivity

For the purpose of conservation and reproduction, the arapaima species was relocated to some water areas of Malaysia and Thailand, where living conditions are as close as possible to the historical region of habitat. There are also known cases of finding representatives of pyrarucu in zoos and large aquariums or pools open to visitors in many countries of the world.

For creating optimal conditions living in captivity must comply with the following parameters:

• tank volume - not less than 1000 l;
• water temperature - + 22 ... + 28 degrees Celsius;
• pH level - 6.0-7.5;
• water hardness - 2.0-15.0 units;
• active filtration, aeration and timely replacement of water.

The life span of individuals kept outside natural conditions is about 10 years.

Other inhabitants of the river

Among the variety of Amazon river fish, there are also some other edible varieties. According to taste criteria, the following varieties are considered the most popular in the craft of local residents:

1. Aravana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum).
2. Brown pacu (Colossoma macropomum).
3. Golden spar (freshwater dorado) (Sparus aurata).
4. Flathead catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus).
5. Haraki-Semaprochilodus (Semaprochilodus).

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