Arapaima vs Great Barracuda
Arapaima gigas compared with Sphyraena barracuda
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Sphyraena barracuda |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Sphyraenidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 200.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 50.0 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. | Steel-gray to dark gunmetal-blue back with a pale silvery-white belly; scattered irregular dark blotches on the lower flanks; tail fin is grayish with whitish tips on both lobes. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 0-100m |
| 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 … | Circumtropical in shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Frequents coral reefs, seagrass beds, and estuaries from Florida and the Caribbean to … |
| 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. … | Pelagic, coral reefs, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| 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.
Great Barracuda
Firm, lean white flesh with a mild flavor when small; larger individuals risk ciguatera fish poisoning and are generally avoided. Smaller fish eaten grilled or fried in the Caribbean.
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.
Great Barracuda
The great barracuda is a fearsome-looking predator found in tropical and subtropical oceans. With its torpedo-shaped body, pronounced underbite, and fang-like teeth, it can strike prey at speeds exceeding 58 km/h.