Arapaima: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Rivers and Coasts · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. An arapaima must surface every 5 to 15 minutes to loudly gulp air, using a swim bladder with lung-like tissue.
2. Arapaima are among the largest freshwater fish: commonly 200 cm long, and adults may weigh up to 200 kg.
3. Armor-like scales, hard outside and flexible inside, help protect the arapaima from piranha attacks.
4. Arapaima dads guard the young for three to six months. Their head secretion, made of 400 substances, also feeds the fry.
5. An arapaima grows fast: about 10 kg in its first year.

The quiz

1. How often must an arapaima surface to gulp air?

• Every 30 seconds
• Every 5 to 15 minutes (correct)
• Once an hour
• Once a day

An arapaima must surface every 5 to 15 minutes to gulp air.

2. How long is an arapaima commonly?

• 50 cm
• 100 cm
• 80 cm
• 200 cm (correct)

Arapaima commonly measure 200 cm.

3. What helps protect an arapaima from piranha attacks?

• Armor-like scales (correct)
• A poisonous skin
• Sharp spines
• A thick layer of mud

Its armor-like scales help protect it from piranhas.

4. How long do arapaima dads guard their young?

• Three to six days
• Three to six weeks
• Three to six months (correct)
• A full year

Males guard the young for three to six months.

5. How much does an arapaima weigh after its first year?

• About 1 kg
• About 50 kg
• About 100 kg
• About 10 kg (correct)

An arapaima reaches about 10 kg in its first year.

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