Arapaima vs Summer Flounder
Arapaima gigas compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Arapaima | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arapaima gigas | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Arapaimidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Arapaima | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 450.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 200.0 kg | 12.0 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. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Arapaima | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 10-183m |
| 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 North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| 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, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Arapaima | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 10/10 | 4/10 |
| 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.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
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.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.