Arapaima vs Atlantic Salmon
Arapaima gigas compared with Salmo salar
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Atlantic Salmon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Salmo salar |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Salmoniformes |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Salmonidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Atlantic Salmon |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 150.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 46.8 kg |
| Color | Dark olive-gray to grayish-black back with large scales that become vivid red-orange with black borders on the posterior flanks; belly pale cream; caudal fin reddish and rounded. | Silvery flanks with a blue-green back; sea-run fish are nearly spotless with a few scattered X-shaped dark spots above the lateral line and pinkish-red tones at spawning. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Atlantic Salmon |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 0-210m |
| Geographic Range | Restricted to the Amazon River basin in Brazil, Peru, Guyana, and Bolivia. Inhabits flooded várzea lakes, oxbows, and large river channels; surfaces frequently to breathe … | North Atlantic Ocean from northeastern North America to western Europe, including rivers of Canada, Norway, Iceland, and the British Isles. Anadromous populations spawn in cold, … |
| Habitat | Floodplain lakes (várzea) and large river channels of the Amazon basin. Slow-moving, shallow, warm freshwater (26-30°C). An obligate air-breather; rises to surface to gulp air. … | Neritic |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Arapaima | Atlantic Salmon |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Arapaima
Large, firm white fillets with a mild, clean flavor and low fat; historically a staple protein in Amazonian communities. Often salted and dried; sustainable harvest is tightly regulated.
Atlantic Salmon
Rich, buttery flesh with high omega-3 fat content and a distinctly full flavor. Versatile in the kitchen — superb grilled, poached, smoked, or served raw as sashimi.
Species Overview
Arapaima
The arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching up to 4.5 meters. An obligate air-breather, it must surface every 10-20 minutes to gulp air. Its tongue is bony and used to crush prey against the roof of its mouth.
Atlantic Salmon
The Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species that migrates from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Renowned among fly fishers, it is also one of the most important farmed fish species globally.