The arapaima, pirarucu, or paiche is any large species of bonytongue in the genus Arapaima native to the Amazon and Essequibo basins of South America. Arapaima is the type genus of the subfamily Arapaiminae within the family Osteoglossidae .

Arapaima gigas, also known simply as Arapaima, pirarucu, or paiche, [3] [4] [5] is a species of arapaima native to the basin of the Amazon River. Once believed to be the sole species in the genus, it is among the largest freshwater fish.

Arapaima - Smithsonian's National Zoo

Also known as the paiche or the pirarucu, the arapaima is an air-breathing fish that plies the rainforest rivers of South America's Amazon Basin and nearby lakes and swamps.

Oct 30, 2024 · Ten Fascinating Facts About the Arapaima, the Largest Freshwater Fish in South America. This keystone species of the Amazon River ecosystem are a fearsome predator with many names.

May 27, 2024 · The Arapaima (also known as the pirarucu or paiche) is an enormous freshwater fish found in the tropical waters of South America. It is the largest known freshwater fish and can weigh hundreds of pounds.

Arapaima are freshwater fish native to South America that can grow to immense sizes. Native South American people sometimes refer to these fish as “pirarucu,” or “paiche.” They are some of the largest freshwater fish species in the world, and the largest individual ever recorded measured in at 15 feet long, and 440 pounds!

Jun 14, 2024 · The largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, the arapaima in Brazil is known as the “pirarucu,” a word in the aboriginal Tupí language that translates to “red fish,” after its reddish ...

The Arapaima is a true giant in the freshwater world, with adults typically reaching lengths of up to 10 feet (around 3 meters) and weighing as much as 485 pounds (220 kilograms). Its elongated, sleek body is covered in large, metallic scales that offer …

The arapaima, Arapaima gigas (Arapaimidae), is among the largest known freshwater fish species with sizes up to 14 feet and 440 pounds. They have a streamlined, oval shape with a large, flattened head.