Paiche vs Betta

Arapaima gigas comparado con Betta splendens

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Paiche	Betta
Nombre Científico	Arapaima gigas	Betta splendens
Orden	Osteoglossiformes	Anabantiformes
Familia	Arapaimidae	Osphronemidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Vulnerable

Physical Traits

Atributo	Paiche	Betta
Longitud Máxima	450,0 cm	7,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	0,003 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.	Highly variable in domesticated strains; wild type is dull brownish-green with iridescent blue-green scale patches; long flowing fins display intense reds, blues, purples, and teals with iridescent sheen.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Paiche	Betta
Tipo de Agua	Freshwater	Freshwater
Rango de Profundidad	—	—
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 …	Native to the Mekong River basin in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Found in shallow rice paddies, irrigation ditches, ponds, and slow-moving lowland streams across the …
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. …	Shallow, densely vegetated ponds, rice paddies, and slow streams of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Tolerates oxygen-poor, warm water (24-30°C). Males highly territorial; builds bubble nests …

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Paiche	Betta
Tamaño Mínimo del Acuario	—	19 L
Temperatura	—	24-30
Rango de pH	—	6.5-7.5
Nivel de Cuidado	—	Easy
Temperamento	—	Aggressive

Información de Pesca

Atributo	Paiche	Betta
Pez de Pesca Deportiva	Sí	No
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.

Betta

Not consumed — ornamental aquarium species prized for its flowing fins and vibrant coloration; classified Vulnerable in the wild.

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.

Betta

The Siamese fighting fish is famous for its vibrant colors and flowing fins, developed through centuries of selective breeding. Males are highly territorial and will flare their gill covers at rivals. They possess a labyrinth organ for breathing atmospheric air.