Arapaima
Arapaima gigas
Also known as Pirarucu, Paiche
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–86°F
- 25–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 118.1 in
- 300 cm
- Minimum tank
- 10,567 gal
- 40,000 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Arapaimidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin of South America, living in oxbow lakes, floodplains and slow rivers where it gulps air at the surface.
Overview
The Arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth, an air-breathing giant that spends its time near the surface. It is not suitable for a normal home aquarium.
Did you know
An Arapaima can grow from a hatchling to well over a meter in its first year. That is one of the fastest growth rates of any freshwater fish.
Caring for the Arapaima
Plan on a pond or a public-scale system of at least 10,567 gal (40,000 L) for an Arapaima. Only experienced keepers with the right facilities should attempt one.
Keep the water warm, at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, with heavy filtration. The Arapaima is an obligate air-breather and will drown if denied access to the surface. Keep that surface open at all times.
It preys on fish and anything else it can engulf, so it will eat any tank mate it can swallow. Choose companions with caution. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The Arapaima, Arapaima gigas, belongs to the family Arapaimidae and is also known as the pirarucu or paiche. It is torpedo-shaped, with a broad head and red-flecked rear scales. It can exceed 200 kg, and historical reports describe fish of around 450 cm. A modified swim bladder works like a lung. Its tongue is bony and toothed, and dried tongues have long been used as tools.
In the wild
The Arapaima is native to the Amazon basin of South America. It lives in oxbow lakes, floodplains and slow rivers, rising to the surface every few minutes to gulp air.
Common questions
What size tank does an Arapaima need?
An Arapaima needs at least 10,567 gal (40,000 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does an Arapaima need?
An Arapaima is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
What does an Arapaima eat?
An Arapaima is a predator that eats fish and anything else it can engulf. It will eat any tank mate it can swallow.
How big does an Arapaima get?
An adult Arapaima reaches about 118.1 in (300 cm).
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