Paiche vs Peto

Arapaima gigas comparado con Acanthocybium solandri

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Paiche	Peto
Nombre Científico	Arapaima gigas	Acanthocybium solandri
Orden	Osteoglossiformes	Scombriformes
Familia	Arapaimidae	Scombridae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Paiche	Peto
Longitud Máxima	450,0 cm	250,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	83,0 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.	Iridescent dark blue-green back with a silvery-white belly; distinct blue or grey vertical tiger-like bars and spots along the flanks that fade quickly after death; fins dusky.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Paiche	Peto
Tipo de Agua	Freshwater	Saltwater
Rango de Profundidad	—	0-20m
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 …	Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical waters of all major ocean basins. Favors clear offshore waters around oceanic islands, reef drop-offs, and current edges in 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. …	Pelagic

Información de Pesca

Atributo	Paiche	Peto
Pez de Pesca Deportiva	Sí	Sí
Clasificación de Pelea	10/10	8/10
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.

Peto

Delicate, flaky white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and very low fat. Among the finest-tasting sport fish; best grilled, seared, or served as ceviche to preserve its subtle flavor.

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.

Peto

The wahoo is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds of 97 km/h. Its elongated, torpedo-shaped body and razor-sharp teeth make it an efficient pelagic predator found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.