Pirarucu

Arapaima gigas

Data Deficient Freshwater

Longueur maximale

450,0 cm

Poids maximum

200,0 kg

Couleur

Dark olive-gray to grayish-black back …

Famille

Arapaimidae

Catégorie

Game Fish

À propos

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.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	450,0 cm
Maximum Weight	200,0 kg

Coloration

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.

Habitat & Distribution

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. Largest freshwater fish by weight.

Type d'eau

Freshwater

Aire de répartition

Pays

🇧🇷 Brazil

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Data Deficient IUCN Red List

Pirarucu is classified as Data Deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilité et gastronomie

Goût

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.

Informations sur la pêche

Poisson de pêche sportive

Oui

Cote de combativité

10/5

Appât recommandé

large lures, cut bait, live fish

Saisons de pêche

Amazon Basin — Good Amazon Basin — Good Amazon Basin — Fair Amazon Basin — Fair Amazon Basin — Peak Season Amazon Basin — Peak Season Amazon Basin — Peak Season Amazon Basin — Good Amazon Basin — Good Amazon Basin — Fair Amazon Basin — Fair Amazon Basin — Good Florida Keys — Good Florida Keys — Good Florida Keys — Fair Florida Keys — Fair Florida Keys — Peak Season Florida Keys — Peak Season Florida Keys — Peak Season Florida Keys — Good Florida Keys — Good Florida Keys — Fair Florida Keys — Fair Florida Keys — Good Great Barrier Reef — Good Great Barrier Reef — Good Great Barrier Reef — Fair Great Barrier Reef — Fair Great Barrier Reef — Peak Season Great Barrier Reef — Peak Season Great Barrier Reef — Peak Season Great Barrier Reef — Good Great Barrier Reef — Good Great Barrier Reef — Fair Great Barrier Reef — Fair Great Barrier Reef — Good Great Lakes — Poor Great Lakes — Poor Great Lakes — Fair Great Lakes — Good Great Lakes — Peak Season Great Lakes — Peak Season Great Lakes — Good Great Lakes — Good Great Lakes — Fair Great Lakes — Fair Great Lakes — Poor Great Lakes — Poor Lofoten Islands — Closed Season Lofoten Islands — Closed Season Lofoten Islands — Closed Season Lofoten Islands — Poor Lofoten Islands — Fair Lofoten Islands — Good Lofoten Islands — Peak Season Lofoten Islands — Good Lofoten Islands — Fair Lofoten Islands — Poor Lofoten Islands — Closed Season Lofoten Islands — Closed Season

Taxonomy

Ordre	Osteoglossiformes (Bony-tongued fishes)
Famille	Arapaimidae (Bonytongues)
Espèces	Arapaima gigas

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Pirarucu
Spanish	Paiche

Foire aux questions

Can you eat 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.

How big does Pirarucu get?

Pirarucu can grow up to 450.0 cm long and weigh 200.0 kg.

Where is Pirarucu found?

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 air using a modified swim bladder. 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. Largest freshwater fish

Is Pirarucu endangered?

The conservation status of Pirarucu is Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Pirarucu belong to?

Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) belongs to the family Arapaimidae (Bonytongues) in the order Osteoglossiformes (Bony-tongued fishes).