The arapaima is a tropical freshwater fish found in the Amazon and Essequibo river basins of South America. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. The arapaima feeds on other fishes and has been known to jump out of the water to catch small birds resting on low-hanging branches.

This species is an obligate air-breathing fish which means it must take air into its swim bladder through its mouth in order to survive. Adult arapaima rise to the water surface to gulp air about once every 18 to 20 minutes. For this reason, the arapaima tends to float near the surface of the water and is vulnerable to netting and spear fishing. The fish is listed as endangered because populations have been depleted by overfishing.

You can see this freshwater giant in the River Scout gallery.

• The arapaima can grow to 10 feet and weigh 440 pounds, although overfishing has resulted in few individuals living to reach this size.
• The species has a very distinctive broad, sloping, flat head and wide back.
• Spawning occurs in shallow lakes formed during the rainy season.
• The female lays approximately 47,000 eggs in a nest that is guarded by both parents until the young hatch.
• The arapaima is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

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