- Where to see one
- 3 U.S. zoos in our directory hold arapaima, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the arapaima
Arapaima gigas, known as the pirarucu or paiche, is native to the Amazon River basin and the Tocantins-Araguaia basins of Brazil, and is among the largest freshwater fish. It commonly measures 200 cm and can weigh up to 200 kg. The body is gray to gray-green, with red flecks on the scales toward the tail. It is a specialized carnivore that feeds mainly on fish. Because it must supplement its gills with surface air, it rises every 5 to 15 minutes to gulp air using a modified swim bladder that contains lung-like tissue.
Arapaima facts
- Its flexible, armor-like scales help protect it from piranha attacks.
- It reaches about 10 kg in its first year of growth.
- It switches from water-breathing to air-breathing 8 to 9 days after hatching.
- Males develop red coloration after sexual maturation, up to 70% of the body.
Where to see arapaima in the U.S.
3 zoos across 3 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 3 zoos holding arapaima by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
District of Columbia· 1
Florida· 1
Wisconsin· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
