Arapaima vs Brook Trout
Arapaima gigas compared with Salvelinus fontinalis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Brook Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Salvelinus fontinalis |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Salmoniformes |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Salmonidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Brook Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 86.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 6.6 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. | Olive-green back with distinctive worm-like yellowish vermiculations; flanks dotted with red spots ringed by blue halos; lower fins are orange-red with bold black and white leading edges. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Brook Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 15-27m |
| 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 … | Native to cold Appalachian streams and boreal rivers of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Anadromous sea-run populations occur along the Atlantic coast; introduced … |
| 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. … | Clear, cold mountain streams and lakes of eastern North America and the Great Lakes basin. Prefers cold, highly oxygenated water (8-18°C) over gravel and cobble. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Arapaima | Brook Trout |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 10/10 | 5/10 |
| 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.
Brook Trout
Delicate, sweet flesh with a nutty, mild flavor; low fat and fine texture. One of the most prized freshwater eating fish in North America — best pan-fried simply in butter with herbs.
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.
Brook Trout
The brook trout is actually a char, native to cold, clean streams of eastern North America. Its olive-green body with distinctive worm-like markings (vermiculations) and red spots with blue halos make it one of the most beautiful freshwater fish.