Pirarucu vs Flétan de l'Atlantique
Arapaima gigas comparé à Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribut | Pirarucu | Flétan de l'Atlantique |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Arapaima gigas | Hippoglossus hippoglossus |
| Ordre | Osteoglossiformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Famille | Arapaimidae | Pleuronectidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Endangered |
Physical Traits
| Attribut | Pirarucu | Flétan de l'Atlantique |
|---|---|---|
| Longueur maximale | 450,0 cm | 470,0 cm |
| Poids maximum | 200,0 kg | 320,0 kg |
| Couleur | 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. | Eyed side is olive-brown to dark greenish-brown with mottled paler blotches providing camouflage; blind underside is pure white; lateral line distinctly arched over the pectoral fin. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribut | Pirarucu | Flétan de l'Atlantique |
|---|---|---|
| Type d'eau | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Plage de profondeur | — | 50-2000m |
| Aire de répartition | 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 Labrador and Greenland east to Iceland, Norway, the Barents Sea, and the British Isles. Found on sandy and gravel bottoms at depths … |
| Habitat | 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 |
Informations sur la pêche
| Attribut | Pirarucu | Flétan de l'Atlantique |
|---|---|---|
| Poisson de pêche sportive | Oui | Oui |
| Cote de combativité | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| Record du monde | — | — |
| Teneur en mercure | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Pirarucu
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.
Flétan de l'Atlantique
Firm, meaty white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and very low fat. Endangered status — sustainable sourcing essential; superb pan-seared, poached in butter, or roasted with aromatics.
Species Overview
Pirarucu
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.
Flétan de l'Atlantique
The Atlantic halibut is the largest flatfish in the world, capable of exceeding 300 kg. Both eyes are on the right side of its body. It is a slow-growing, long-lived species that has suffered severe overfishing.