Buzz
During a visit to Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, Florida last month, Leah Getts’s son noticed a giant dead fish floating in the Caloosahatchee River. “It was bigger than my 7-year-old, who’s not a small kid,” Getts shared with NBC2. She posted a picture of the fish on Facebook, where her followers quickly identified it as an arapaima, a freshwater species native to the Amazon River.
The arapaima (Arapaima gigas) struggles to survive in cold waters, so it’s not usually found in North America. However, some parts of southeast Florida are now warm enough to accommodate them, potentially threatening the region’s native wildlife. A versatile predator, the arapaima primarily preys on other fish but will also consume fruit, insects, birds, and even mammals. With the ability to lay thousands of eggs annually, it could soon become a significant invasive species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission informed the Associated Press that there is “no evidence that arapaima have reproduced in the wild in Florida” so far, but they encourage residents to report any sightings, which can be done here.
In the meantime, here are five captivating insights about the aquatic giant.
1. The arapaima ranks among the largest freshwater fish in the world.
Although the specimen discovered in Florida’s Caloosahatchee River measured only about 5.5 feet, arapaima can grow significantly larger. On average, they range from 7 to 8 feet in length and weigh around 200 pounds, but some individuals have been known to reach nearly 15 feet and weigh up to 440 pounds.
2. The arapaima is a fish that breathes air.
The arapaima can remain submerged for about 10 to 20 minutes before needing to surface for air. Unlike most fish, it doesn’t breathe through its gills, which are too small. Instead, it uses its mouth to draw in air, which then fills a lung-like gas bladder. According to National Geographic, “the noisy, distinctive gulp it makes sounds like a cough and can be heard from far away.”
3. The arapaima is also referred to as the pirarucu fish.
The arapaima is native to several South American countries, earning different names depending on the region. In Peru, it is called paiche, while in Brazil, it is known as pirarucu, derived from the Tupi language words for red (urucu) and fish (pira).
4. The arapaima is equipped with remarkable natural armor.
"Hit me with your best shot." | vinhdav/iStock via Getty ImagesThe arapaima’s tough, scaly armor is essentially the fish equivalent of a bulletproof vest, offering protection against predators like piranhas. Its scales are composed of two layers: an outer hard mineral layer and an inner flexible collagen layer. Unlike human-made bulletproof vests, these layers aren’t bonded with an adhesive but naturally grow together. This unique structure makes the arapaima's scales ideal for absorbing impact while maintaining flexibility, a feature that could inspire future advancements in materials science.
5. The arapaima made an appearance in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons introduced the arapaima to its digital world in 2020, alongside creatures like great white sharks and ribbon eels. In the Northern Hemisphere, the arapaima can be found in rivers from June to September, between 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. Catching one will reward players with 10,000 bells, making it one of the game's most lucrative fish.
