Arapaima
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Jijiladouceur&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:Jijiladouceur (page does not exist)">Jijiladouceur</a> (CC BY 4.0)
NameArapaima
Scientific NameArapaima gigas
Common NamesArapaima, Pirarucu, Paiche
FamilyArapaimidae
OriginSouth America, Amazon Basin, Essequibo Basin
Temperamentaggressive
Dietcarnivore
Care Levelexpert
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)5000
Max Size (Inches)120
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)75-82
pH Range6.0-7.5
Compatible SpeciesNone
Description
The Arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, renowned for its immense size and unique ability to breathe atmospheric air. Native to the Amazon basin, these apex predators possess distinctive large, bony scales. Due to their predatory nature and massive adult size, they are suitable only for expert aquarists with public aquarium-scale facilities.
