Arapaima vs Great White Shark
Arapaima gigas compared with Carcharodon carcharias
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great White Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Carcharodon carcharias |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Lamniformes |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Lamnidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Vulnerable |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great White Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 600.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 1905.0 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. | Classic countershaded coloration: slate-gray to charcoal-brown dorsal surface with a sharply defined boundary to a pure white ventral surface; pectoral fin tips dusky to black. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Great White Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 0-1280m |
| 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 … | Cosmopolitan in cool to warm coastal and offshore waters of all major oceans. Key aggregation sites include South Africa, California, South Australia, and New Zealand. … |
| 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 | Great White Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 10/10 | — |
| 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 White Shark
Edible but rarely consumed; flesh requires careful handling to remove ammonia. Consumption is strongly discouraged — this species is Vulnerable and protected in many jurisdictions.
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 White Shark
The great white shark is the world's largest predatory fish. Found in coastal surface waters of all major oceans, it can detect a single drop of blood in 100 liters of water. Despite its fearsome reputation, attacks on humans are rare.