The Arapaima (pronounced AIR-uh-PIE-muh) is a massive fish that swims through the slow-moving rivers, lakes, and flooded forests of the Amazon Basin in South America. This aquatic giant can grow over 10 feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds, making it one of the largest freshwater fish in the world!
Arapaimas are sometimes called “living fossils” because their species hasn’t changed much in millions of years. With a long, torpedo-shaped body, thick armored scales, and shiny green, bronze, or red coloring, they look like something from the age of dinosaurs.
One of their coolest features? Arapaimas breathe air! In addition to gills, they have a special organ (a modified swim bladder) that lets them gulp oxygen from the surface. This helps them survive in warm, murky water where oxygen is low.
Arapaimas are carnivores, eating fish, crustaceans, insects, and even small land animals that fall into the water. They are powerful swimmers and can lunge with great force to grab prey. They’ve even been known to jump out of the water when startled!
In zoos and aquariums, arapaimas are usually featured in Amazon River or rainforest exhibits, where guests can see them cruising through large tanks and rising to the surface to breathe—often with a loud gulp!
