Paiche vs Bacalao del Atlántico

Arapaima gigas comparado con Gadus morhua

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Paiche	Bacalao del Atlántico
Nombre Científico	Arapaima gigas	Gadus morhua
Orden	Osteoglossiformes	Gadiformes
Familia	Arapaimidae	Gadidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Vulnerable

Physical Traits

Atributo	Paiche	Bacalao del Atlántico
Longitud Máxima	450,0 cm	200,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	96,0 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.	Brown to olive-green or grayish back densely speckled with small pale spots; pale lateral line clearly visible; belly white to cream; three distinct dorsal fins and two anal fins are yellowish-tan.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Paiche	Bacalao del Atlántico
Tipo de Agua	Freshwater	Saltwater
Rango de Profundidad	—	0-600m
Distribución Geográfica	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 …	North Atlantic from the Labrador Sea and Grand Banks of Newfoundland east to Iceland, Norway, and the Barents Sea. Historically abundant on the Georges and …
Hábitat	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

Información de Pesca

Atributo	Paiche	Bacalao del Atlántico
Pez de Pesca Deportiva	Sí	Sí
Clasificación de Pelea	10/10	—
Récord Mundial	—	—
Nivel de Mercurio	—	—

Cuisine & Edibility

Paiche

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.

Bacalao del Atlántico

Iconic mild white flesh, low fat, and a flaky texture; the backbone of fish-and-chips and salt cod traditions worldwide. Currently Vulnerable; sustainable sourcing is strongly recommended.

Species Overview

Paiche

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.

Bacalao del Atlántico

The Atlantic cod is one of the most historically important commercial fish species. Its mild, flaky white flesh has been a staple food in Europe for centuries. Overfishing caused the collapse of the Grand Banks fishery in 1992.