Arapaima, A Massive Fish in Danger

The largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, Arapaima reach lengths of up to 3 metres (10 ft.) and weigh up to 200 kg (440 lbs.). They are members of the Family Osteoglossidae, along with another more commonly known South American fish, the much smaller Arowana.

Arapaima

Arapaima gigas

Habitat

In Guyana, Arapaimas are found mainly in the Essequibo and Rupununi River systems in central areas of Guyana, as well as the Amazon River Basin. They can be seen in large numbers in isolated ponds during the dry season from September through March. During high water the fish can be found throughout the flooded forest, in swamps, and up-stream in creeks. As the waters recede, they return to the lakes and ponds.

Diet

Arapaimas eat other fish and are top freshwater predators. As such, this fish is important in regulating the populations of other fish species in rivers and wetlands.

 A juvenile Arapaima

Family Life

Reproduction of Arapaima is affected by water levels. These giants are thought to lay their eggs in hollows in the mud of flood plain lakes and ponds just when waters are at their lowest, before the rains begin again in February and March. They are mouth brooders; newly hatched fish take refuge inside the adult's mouth. 

Giant specimens such as this one are becoming

increasingly rare due to over fishing.

Status in the Wild

Arapaima populations have declined greatly over the last 30 years. It is one of the most sought after fish species in South America, especially Amazonia. The meat is boneless and constitutes up to 50% of the total body weight of the fish. Today, the scarcity of Arapaima is reason for concern for local Amerindians because the fish represented an important income source in a poverty stricken local economy. At the same time, conservation organizations are concerned because of the fundamental ecological role played by this top-of-the-food-web species has been lost from the globally important North Rupununi Wetlands and Iwokrama Forest.

As of 11th November 2004:

• Listed as Appendix II by the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) - trade in the animal must be controlled.
• Listed as Data Deficient by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List - there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.

(Photo © A. Holland / G. Duncan)

Species/Fisheries Management

As a continuation of the Arapaima Research surveys concluded in 2001, a Management Plan for Arapaima was developed with local communities that would allow for the local Arapaima population to recover while local fishermen continue harvesting. Read more...