Paiche vs Corydoras

Arapaima gigas comparado con Corydoras paleatus

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Paiche	Corydoras
Nombre Científico	Arapaima gigas	Corydoras paleatus
Orden	Osteoglossiformes	Siluriformes
Familia	Arapaimidae	Callichthyidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Paiche	Corydoras
Longitud Máxima	450,0 cm	7,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	0,005 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.	Pale olive-gray to greenish body with irregular dark olive to black marbled blotches and spots; a broad dark blotch at the dorsal fin base; belly is cream to white; fins spotted or barred.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Paiche	Corydoras
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 La Plata River system and coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. Inhabits shallow streams, flooded meadows, and sandy-bottomed lagoons …
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. …	Rivers and streams of the Río de la Plata basin in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay). Inhabits clear-water streams over sandy and muddy bottoms. Active …

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Paiche	Corydoras
Tamaño Mínimo del Acuario	—	40 L
Temperatura	—	22-26
Rango de pH	—	6.0-8.0
Nivel de Cuidado	—	Easy
Temperamento	—	Peaceful

Información de Pesca

Atributo	Paiche	Corydoras
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.

Corydoras

Not consumed — a small ornamental bottom-dwelling catfish beloved for its peaceful temperament and role as a substrate scavenger in community aquariums.

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.

Corydoras

The peppered corydoras is a peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish native to South American rivers. It uses its barbels to sift through substrate for food and should be kept in groups of six or more. It can gulp atmospheric air in low-oxygen conditions.