Pirarucu, the biggest freshwater fish of the world.

Scientific name: Arapaima gigas
Family: Arapaimidae

The pirarucu is found only in the Amazon Basin. It appears from the Orinoco, in Guiana to the Ucayali and the lower part of the Amazon River and its tributaries, living in the calm waters of the river bank pools.

It is one of the biggest scaly freshwater fish of the world, reaching up to 3 meter long (118.11 inches) and 250 kilograms (113.5 pounds).

This fish has aquatic respiration, through its gills, and mandatory aerial respiration, through its modified swim-bladder, specially prepared to work as a lung.

The pirarucu eats certain species of catfish and insects. It is known to leap out of the water and grab small birds from the overhanging trees.

They are living fossils belonging to the Osteoglossidae (bony tongue) family of fishes. The "tongue" is about five inches long and bony. Its rough surface is used by natives as a rasp to smooth wood. Its scales are used as nail files and in the making of typical ornaments.

Onça-Negra or Jaguar Hunting a Pirarucu:


Photos:Stingrayaquarium