Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822)

Arapaima

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Osteoglossiformes \| Arapaimidae
Synonyms	Sudis gigas, Vastres agassizii, Vastres arapaima, ... more
Common names	Paiche, Arapaïma, Paiche, ... more

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Picture by Nguyen, C.

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Main reference

Ferraris, C.J. Jr. 2003. (Ref. 50891)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 450 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6398); common length : 200 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 557); max. published weight: 200.0 kg (Ref. 557)

Environment

Demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 6.5; dH range: 10 - ?

Climate / Range

Tropical; 25°C - 29°C (Ref. 2060); 5°N - 11°S

South America: Amazon River basin. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.7.75). The active fishing of this fish has reduced both the population size, and occurrence of large individuals, especially around the populated regions of the Amazon (Ref. 50891).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Often referred to as the largest freshwater fish. Builds a nest of about 15 cm depth and 50 cm width in sandy bottoms. Spawns in April and May and guards the eggs and the young. Obligate air breather. The fish rises to the surface of the water and inspires air in a noisy, distinctive gulp, which is reported to carry for long distances (Ref. 50891). Threatened due to over harvesting (Ref. 58490).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Data deficient (DD)	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=4-6; Fec=47,000)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Very high vulnerability (78 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Torres, Armi G.

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Page last modified by : elaxamana, 15 July 2009

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