Arapaima vs Common Snook
Arapaima gigas compared with Centropomus undecimalis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Common Snook |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Centropomus undecimalis |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Carangaria/misc |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Centropomidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Common Snook |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 140.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 24.3 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. | Pale golden-olive to grayish-brown back with silvery flanks; a bold black lateral stripe runs from the operculum to the tail; belly pale yellow-white; fins are yellowish with a dusky posterior dorsal fin. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Common Snook |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | ?-22m |
| 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 … | Western Atlantic from South Carolina south through the Gulf of Mexico, entire Caribbean, and along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central America to Brazil. … |
| 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, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Arapaima | Common Snook |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Common Snook
Sweet, firm white flesh with a mild, clean flavor; low fat and large flakes. Highly regarded as table fare in Florida and the Caribbean; excellent grilled, blackened, or pan-seared.
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.
Common Snook
The common snook is a prized inshore game fish found in tropical western Atlantic waters. It is highly sensitive to cold water and cannot survive temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius. Its lateral line is distinctive — a bold black stripe.