Arapaima
Giant air-breathing freshwater fish of the Amazon
The arapaima is a massive bonytongue native to South American river basins. It breathes air and serves as a vital food source, though overfishing has reduced wild numbers. Conservation efforts in Brazil have helped some populations recover recently.
- Can reach lengths over 3 metres and weigh 200 kg
- Breathes air using a lung-like swim bladder
- Male protects young by holding them in his mouth
- Populations recovered in managed Brazilian areas
- Scales have a plywood-like collagen structure
What it is
The arapaima is a large, torpedo-shaped fish with blackish-green scales and red markings. It belongs to the bonytongue group and can grow over three metres long. Its body is streamlined, with fins positioned near the tail for powerful swimming. The scales are heavily armoured, featuring a hard outer layer and tough internal collagen fibres arranged like plywood. This structure provides protection while allowing flexibility. The fish possesses a modified swim bladder that functions like a lung, enabling it to breathe atmospheric air.
Where it lives
This species is native to the Amazon and Essequibo river basins in South America. It inhabits freshwater environments, including main river channels and isolated oxbow lakes. These fish thrive in waters with very low dissolved oxygen levels, sometimes as low than 0.5 parts per million. They are found in countries such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guyana, and Ecuador. Introduced populations now exist in tropical regions outside their native range, including parts of Asia.
How it lives
Arapaima are apex predators in their habitat, especially during the dry season when lakes become isolated. Their diet includes other fish, crustaceans, insects, and even small mammals or birds near the shore. They must surface regularly to breathe air, which makes them vulnerable to hunters. If harassed or confined, they may leap from the water. They do not migrate long distances, remaining dispersed throughout their range. This sedentary nature suggests distinct local populations may exist.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs when water levels are low or beginning to rise, typically between May and August. The fish construct nests in muddy areas, about fifty centimetres wide. The male protects the developing young by holding them in his mouth, a behaviour known as mouthbrooding. The female assists by circling the pair and warding off predators. Some observations suggest females secrete a nutrient-rich substance from their heads to feed the fry.
Fish and people
Locals value arapaima as a primary food source, often salting and drying the meat for storage. The tongue is used in traditional remedies for intestinal worms, and scales serve as nail files. Designers also use the skin for leather goods. Overfishing led to a ban in Brazil in 1996, but sustainable management programmes have since helped stocks recover. The fish is farmed for food and the aquarium trade, with legal breeding operations in Thailand.
Status and threats
Wild populations declined sharply due to unregulated fishing and habitat loss. A 2014 study showed depletion at most surveyed sites. However, managed areas in Brazil have seen significant recovery, with counts rising from 2,500 in 1999 to over 170,000 in 2017. The global status remains Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List because counting fish across such a vast basin is difficult. Fishing is restricted in Colombia during the breeding season.
Questions people ask about Arapaima
Why does the arapaima need to surface?
It has a modified swim bladder that acts like a lung, allowing it to extract oxygen from the air. This adaptation lets it survive in stagnant, oxygen-poor waters where other fish cannot live.
Is it dangerous to humans?
While generally not aggressive, large specimens can be dangerous if provoked. There are anecdotal reports of attacks in Malaysia, but these are not scientifically confirmed. They may leap if they feel trapped.
How do they protect their young?
The male is a mouthbrooder, keeping the fry safe inside his mouth until they are larger. The female helps by circling the family group and defending them against potential predators.
Why is it called the cod of the Amazon?
The meat is often salted and dried for preservation, similar to traditional salted cod. This method allows storage without refrigeration, making it a staple food in the region.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Arapaima", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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