Arapaima vs Neon Tetra

Arapaima gigas comparado com Paracheirodon innesi

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Arapaima	Neon Tetra
Nome Científico	Arapaima gigas	Paracheirodon innesi
Ordem	Osteoglossiformes	Characiformes
Família	Arapaimidae	Characidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Arapaima	Neon Tetra
Comprimento Máximo	450,0 cm	3,0 cm
Peso Máximo	200,0 kg	0,001 kg
Cor	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	Arapaima	Neon Tetra
Tipo de Água	Freshwater	Freshwater
Faixa de Profundidade	—	—
Distribuição 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 …
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. …	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	Arapaima	Neon Tetra
Tamanho Mínimo do Aquário	—	40 L
Temperatura	—	20-26
Faixa de pH	—	6.0-7.0
Nível de Cuidado	—	Easy
Temperamento	—	Peaceful

Informações de Pesca

Atributo	Arapaima	Neon Tetra
Peixe Esportivo	Sim	Não
Classificação de Resistência	10/10	—
Recorde Mundial	—	—
Nível de Mercúrio	—	—

Cuisine & Edibility

Arapaima

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

Arapaima

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.