Paiche vs Neon Tetra

Arapaima gigas comparado con Paracheirodon innesi

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Paiche	Neon Tetra
Nombre Científico	Arapaima gigas	Paracheirodon innesi
Orden	Osteoglossiformes	Characiformes
Familia	Arapaimidae	Characidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Paiche	Neon Tetra
Longitud Máxima	450,0 cm	3,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	0,001 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.	Electric iridescent blue-green stripe from eye to adipose fin; vivid red stripe from mid-body to tail base; back olive-brown; belly silvery-white; all fins transparent and colorless.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Paiche	Neon Tetra
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 blackwater tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Inhabits slow, acidic, tannin-stained streams and flooded forest areas in …
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. …	Warm, soft-water rivers and streams of the upper Amazon and Perú in South America. Prefers slow-moving blackwater with dense vegetation (pH 5.5-7.5, 20-26°C). Dense schooling …

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Paiche	Neon Tetra
Tamaño Mínimo del Acuario	—	40 L
Temperatura	—	20-26
Rango de pH	—	6.0-7.0
Nivel de Cuidado	—	Easy
Temperamento	—	Peaceful

Información de Pesca

Atributo	Paiche	Neon Tetra
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.

Neon Tetra

Not consumed — ornamental aquarium species kept for its vivid iridescent stripe and peaceful schooling behavior.

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.

Neon Tetra

The neon tetra is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, known for its iridescent blue and red horizontal stripes. Native to blackwater streams of the Amazon basin, it thrives in schools of six or more.